Frank Hardy Sotheby's International Realty

Accompanying impressive estates in alluring locations from West Coast to East are lively tennis courts that will win everyone over—game, set, and match.

Paramount Ranch Estate

Christine Costello | Sotheby’s International Realty – Pacific Palisades Brokerage

In exclusive gated Paramount Ranch Estates, this impressive equestrian estate occupies more than 10 lush acres and offers every necessity for the horse lover. The 5,488-square-foot residence at the heart of it all is has a fluid, effortless floor plan and walls of glass that overlook and open to an outdoor oasis: a covered porch, a patio area with a fire pit, an inviting pool, a vine-draped grilling and dining pergola, a pool house, and a private tennis court.

Equestrian Escape

Steve Archino | Sotheby’s International Realty – Greenwich Brokerage

Comprising more than 36 rolling acres, this equestrian estate is a one-of-a-kind getaway just minutes from downtown Greenwich. It features a five-bedroom cedar-shingled main residence with a swimming pool, a stone patio, and multiple terraces and balconies; an additional 4,200-square-foot home with its own pool; a two-bedroom, one-bath guesthouse; 17th-century stone walls; two ponds; a lively stream; and a tennis court set beside a mature fruit orchard.

Montecito Magic

“The Olivers” Christine and Fal Oliver | Sotheby’s International Realty – Montecito – Coast Village Road Brokerage

In a prime private location in the heart of Montecito, this handsome 6,168-square-foot contemporary home has floor-to-ceiling windows and doors that blur the lines between the chic interiors and the magnificently lush outdoors. The grounds boast a sparkling pool and spa, a pool house with a sauna, a climbing structure, tree swings, a putting green, an outdoor shower, and a tennis court. Enveloping it all are oaks, olive trees, a rock-lined stream, a bamboo “meditation forest,” a fruit orchard, and a rose garden.

Peaceful Hideaway in the Hamptons

Beate V. Moore | Sotheby’s International Realty – Bridgehampton Brokerage

Amid 4.6 acres of mature greenery and colorful flora, this 4,792-square-foot charmer features a well-equipped eat-in kitchen, a formal dining room, and an elegant living room. Among the five bedrooms, the primary suite includes an office that opens to a pool and spa surrounded by a handsome stone terrace and a pool house with kitchenette and a full bath. The property also includes grassy meadows, a basketball court, a freestanding three-car garage, a studio, and a Har-Tru tennis court with a viewing pavilion.

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Explore Charlottesville, VA through the eyes of Real Estate expert, Jordan Summers of Frank Hardy SIR in our latest “Meet The Agent” campaign.

Whether they use bold colors, intriguing textures, or striking wallpaper, accent walls easily infuse a home with style and create a focal point for attention or art.

Fabulous Florida Contemporary

Patricia Mahaney & JB Edwards | Sotheby’s International Realty – Palm Beach Brokerage

Nearly every space of this lofty six-bedroom contemporary residence in Palm Beach Gardens is exceptionally appointed. Both the living room and the family room have floor-to-ceiling windows, the streamlined kitchen is sure to please any cook, the theater is perfectly outfitted for an at-home cinematic experience, and the sophisticated dining room boasts wine storage, dazzling light fixtures, and a striking accent wall. A verandah with an outdoor kitchen, the pool and spa, and the terrace overlook the eighth hole of the Old Palm Golf Club.

Pacific Heights Hideaway

Carrie B. Goodman | Sotheby’s International Realty – San Francisco Brokerage

Creatively re-imagined by one of San Francisco’s premier designers, this five-bedroom Pacific Heights home has an open floor plan perfect for effortless living and entertaining. The main level features a chef’s kitchen with a Calacatta marble island, a five-burner gas cooktop, a built-in espresso machine, and a wine chiller; an enviable deck with built-in gas grill and sink; a butler’s pantry with a warming drawer and a dishwasher; formal living and dining areas; and a spacious, discreet powder room with mesmerizing floral wallpaper.

Picturesque Modern Oasis in Houston

William Finnorn | Martha Turner Sotheby’s International Realty 

This chic residence in Houston’s inner loop blends sophisticated contemporary style with Tudor inspiration. Highlights include a living room with soaring beamed ceilings and a marble fireplace, a sleek kitchen with superior appliances and a quartzite island, a study, a formal dining room, four bedroom suites, an upper-level family room, and walls of windows that reveal a dazzling pool accompanied by a patio with an outdoor kitchen. Richly hued accent walls in various rooms create ideal spaces to display art.

Colorful San Francisco Sanctuary

Wendy Storch | Sotheby’s International Realty – San Francisco Brokerage

Edwardian architecture and vibrant modern panache combine in this cheerful two-bedroom home in a desirable location on San Francisco’s popular Fillmore Street. Among the numerous stylistic details are hardwood flooring, crown moldings, marble mosaics, handsome woodwork, arched windows, and in the living room, a gray accent wall that adds a pop of saturated color and beckons for art or other decorative pieces. Residents enjoy use of a shared rear garden and deck.

Charming Inspiration in Studio City

Michael J. Okun | Sotheby’s International Realty – Sherman Oaks Brokerage

Classic Cape Cod inspiration arrives as an iconic Southern California location in this charming Studio City residence. Spaces throughout are ideal for festive entertaining and tranquil private moments, from a living room with a stalwart gray fireplace as its centerpiece and a formal dining room with a stunning accent wall to four peaceful bedrooms. Sliding glass doors open to a four-season patio and a backyard with a built-in spa, a verdant lawn,and mountain views. The property also includes a detached studio.

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Published: August 9, 2022 | By: American Luxury Staff

The parents of Amazon honcho Jeff Bezos recently shelled out a cool $74 million for a just-add-water compound in South Florida. Jacklyn and Miguel Bezos, the mother and step-father of Jeff Bezos, set their sights on a pair of 21^st-century Tuscan-inspired villas in Coral Gables. According to news reports, the individual properties sold for $34 million and $40 million.

One of the two houses is a Tuscan-inspired villa on 2.12 acres; it contains six bedrooms and eight baths across 8,713 sq. ft. of interiors. If research informs correctly, the second of the two homes sits on a cul-de-sac lot of 1.89 acres, and features modern-inspired interiors; it contains six bedrooms and seven baths.

Bezos is said to have helped foot the bill for the homes. Not terribly surprising; the past five years have seen the Amazon kingpin in heavyweight acquisition mode, putting together an estate in Washington, D.C., for nearly $30 million, spending about $120 million for a compound in the sky in Manhattan, and dropping over $250 million in Beverly Hills. Capping such a flamboyant run is his most recent purchase: an estate in Hawaii, which Bezos closed on for $78 million late last year.

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9331 Old Turnpike Road Afton, Virginia 22920
A one-of-a-kind setting with stunning vistas in the heart of the Blue Ridge foothills!

Fox Horn Farm is the quintessential Virginia homestead, lovingly restored and maintained. The views are captured from every room in the house.

Inside features include 200-year-old maple banisters, original pine floors, built-in walnut cabinetry, historic doors and hardware, and a den with built-in cabinetry brought in and sourced dating back to the 1700s.

Modern updates have been made in all the right places including a cozy gourmet kitchen with a Wolf range and center island, an owner’s suite addition with vaulted ceilings, a laundry/mudroom with a soapstone sink, and counters, and a new pool house with a second kitchen.

48 acres can be divided and is not under easement. Mostly pasture with a stream running through it. Outbuildings include an indoor riding arena and a hay barn.

Listed by: Ann Hay Hardy and Frank Hardy of Frank Hardy Sotheby’s International Realty.

East River // Mathews. Virginia

As summer draws to a close, Charlottesville and the surrounding areas continue to have some gorgeous homes on the market. Whether you prefer to be close to downtown, just outside of town with more land, or are looking for an easy weekend river retreat, this month’s roundup has it all.

East River – 68 Preston Point Road // Mathews, Virginia // Contact: Conor Murray, Frank Hardy Sotheby’s International Realty, 434.296.0134

The details: 5 bedrooms, 5 full and 2 half bathrooms, 7,163 square feet, 22.92 acres

Features we love: This is the perfect weekend river retreat just two hours from Charlottesville! This beautifully renovated brick custom home on 23 acres has 950 feet of East River Frontage in Historic Mathews County. The interior boasts tall ceilings, dental moldings and wainscoting in almost all rooms, two kitchens, first and second story master suites, and a bright and spacious sunroom with fantastic wide river views. The star of the show is the incredibly peaceful and private waterfront acreage which also includes a dock with boat lift, a large barn, a freshwater pond, and beautiful gardens.

1360 Hilltop Drive // Charlottesville, Virginia // Contact: Murdoch Matheson, Frank Hardy Sotheby’s International Realty, 434.296.0134

The details: 3 bedrooms, 2 full and 1 half bathrooms, 3,441 square feet, 0.64 acres

Features we love: This all brick home is located near UVA in the highly desirable Meadowbrook Hills neighborhood. This is a prime location and everything is in excellent condition. A beautiful lot with mature trees and beautiful boxwoods & azaleas, which can be enjoyed from the screened porch. Rooms are graciously sized and there is potential to add on in what is currently the walk-up attic. A must see, as in this location it will not last long!

Hillsboro Farmhouse – 6417 Hillsboro Lane // Crozet, Virginia // Contact: Ann Hay Hardy or Mo Covington, Frank Hardy Sotheby’s International Realty, 434.296.0134

The details: 3 bedrooms, 2 full and 1 half bathrooms, 2,400 square feet, 1.41 acres

Features we love: This home provides historic charm with modern farmhouse amenities and boasts stunning mountain views just outside of the village of Crozet. Completely renovated from top to bottom the home features new oak hardwood floors, and custom kitchen and baths. In addition to the stunning farmhouse, the property features a detached 2 car garage, a shed, a barn with a chicken coop, and large barbecue terrace. Fabulous location, minutes from the many wineries, breweries and other attractions that this area has to offer!

Everyone wants to make a good first impression. From the Hamptons to Houston and beyond, these homes feature front doors that greet guests with doses of welcoming, eye-catching color.

Welcoming Colonial in Greenwich

Michele Klosson, Sotheby’s International Realty – Greenwich Brokerage

On a quarter acre in the heart of Old Greenwich, this classic Colonial-style home offers five bedrooms, four full and one half baths, fluid light-filled spaces with honey-hued hardwood floors, a two-car garage, and a deck that overlooks the lush backyard. The cheerful red front door is a friendly reminder of a historic early American custom that signified to travelers that a home was a safe, welcoming place to stop and rest.

East Hampton Escape

Rylan Jacka & Dominique Garstin, Sotheby’s International Realty – East Hampton Brokerage

A consummate Hamptons retreat, this 1.2-acre estate includes a swimming pool and spa with a pool house, a tennis court, a half basketball court, covered and open-air patios, emerald grass, an alfresco wet bar, and an outdoor kitchen, and a seven-bedroom house perfectly suited for relaxed yet stylish living and entertaining. The location on a cul-de-sac just minutes from East Hampton Village and Georgica Beach affords enviable peace and quiet. The home’s blue front door echoes the cerulean hues of the skies above.

Light-Filled Houston Haven

Stormy Hayes-Knipe, Martha Turner Sotheby’s International Realty

In tranquil Braes Heights, this four-bedroom, 3,168-square-foot home offers a wealth of bright, inviting spaces, including living and dining rooms, a family room, an updated kitchen with a breakfast nook, and an additional game room, recreation room, or office. Primary and guest suites are well separated for privacy. The backyard beckons with its sunny patio and sparkling swimming pool. The bright yellow front door hints at the home’s welcomingly sunny disposition.

Wine Country Oasis

Daniel Casabonne, Sotheby’s International Realty – Wine Country – Sonoma Brokerage

This enchanting two-bedroom, two-bath cottage in Sonoma is introduced by the storybook charm of a white picket fence and a cherry-red door that provides a pop of color amid the lush enveloping greenery and cool shade. The inviting interiors—which boast an updated kitchen with a Wolf range, 12-foot ceilings, hardwood floors, and a fireplace—open through sliding glass doors to a relaxing terrace and park-like grounds featuring majestic oaks, a rolling lawn, and colorful established landscaping. The Sonoma Plaza is only minutes away.

Hideaway Outside Houston

Jason Lee Villarreal, Martha Turner Sotheby’s International Realty

Equidistant from Houston and the Gulf Coast, this 4.77-acre estate includes a 2,668-square-foot residence, a fenced backyard with a refreshing pool and spa, an expansive covered terrace and alfresco dining area, a 550-square-foot pool cabana, guest quarters in a 5,000-square-foot “barndominium,” and an additional structure ideal for a workshop and storage of multiple vehicles. The main residence’s neighborly red front door creates an eye-catching contrast to the crisp, timeless black and white façade.

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It’s patio season! When the hottest venue is your private porch or poolside, every day is like a vacation, and summer seems endless. Unwinding with a sumptuous drink in hand and the sun arching overhead is a sensation and sentiment that knows no borders.

So take a sojourn through the outdoor seating and dining arrangement at these five international properties—and while you’re at it, treat yourself to one of their favorite local cocktails.

Pour a Paloma at the Riviera Maya

Sara Plaga – Riviera Maya Sotheby’s International Realty

To stroll along a stretch of the Caribbean Sea coastline is a delight; to own a stretch of that coastline is a dream. And that dream comes true at this exquisitely contemporary residence in Playa Del Carmen. Even better, the expanse of beachfront that serves as this home’s backyard also opens onto a stunning, east-facing patio with two pools.

There couldn’t be a better place to enjoy a paloma, perhaps Mexico’s most beloved cocktail. The tangy combination of tequila and grapefruit is a great way to stay cool on a hot day, and the fact “la paloma” translates to “the dove” fittingly alludes to the serenity of sipping this beverage on a beachside patio.

White Sangria Beneath the Barcelona Sunshine

Barcelona & Costa Brava Sotheby’s International Realty

Barcelona is a rarity—a major European center that also happens to be on the soft-sand shores of the Mediterranean Sea. It’s an exhilarating contrast that finds its purest expression in this downtown mansion. With a private pool, barbecue pavilion, spa-like shower, and bright solarium, this terrace offers the laidback lifestyle only attainable in a maritime city, despite its location in the affluent, metropolitan Eixample district.

After a day of urban excursions, picture returning to this outdoor oasis and serving up some white sangria. The drink is a descendant of the Spanish wine-based punches favored by the Romans as far back as 200 B.C.E., while the modern take has been the flavor of summertime ever since its unveiling at the 1964 World’s Fair in New York City.

Mix an Ouzo Lemonade in Mykonos

Despina Laou – Greece Sotheby’s International Realty

Homeowners place a high premium on properties that create seamless, intuitive continuity between the furnished dwellings within and the natural world beyond. This peaceful hilltop residence on the Greek island of Mykonos raises this lifestyle to the level of art, with unobstructed views of the variegated blues that blend from sea to sky, gorgeous nooks built directly into the cliffside, and a swimming pool designed to simulate starlight.

While celebrities flock to fashionable parties in the center of town, this home’s patio provides a far-superior social space. Pour some ouzo lemonades—ouzo is an aperitif unique to Greece and Cyprus, known for its notes of anise and other spices—and host your own invite-only soirée away from the crowd.

Prickly Pear Margaritas to Celebrate Scottsdale

Dan Wolski and Troy Gillenwater – Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty

Speaking of hilltop residences that elevate indoor-outdoor living, this estate spares no expense with its sun decks and spa, fountains and firepits, and negative-edge pool overlooking Desert Mountain. The property boasts 3,000 square feet of covered outdoor living space, with the Geronimo golf course just outside the door.Spend an afternoon on the green, and then take in a spectacular sunset with a drink that has become synonymous with Arizona: the prickly pear margarita. The plump, scarlet fruits that line the paddles of the prickly pear cactus are a local delicacy, and their sweet syrup is decadent in a cold, slushy cocktail.

Savor Zadar’s Local Twist on the Classic Mojito

Croatia Sotheby’s International Realty

Croatia’s coastline comprises more than a thousand idyllic islands, and the city of Zadar—where this chic, three-level villa is located—boasts incomparable views of their dynamic beauty. The home makes the most of this natural gallery with its glass walls, which slide aside to grant immediate access to the Adriatic Sea and leisurely lounges and amenities that outcompete a five-star hotel.

Because its waterfronts face west, Zadar is the ultimate destination for sunset lovers—so make one of these unique mojitos, one of Croatia’s most popular cocktails, and settle in to watch the day turn to dusk.

Your own outdoor bar provides a place to come together to celebrate with your favorite people, or seek solace from the noise of the world. A spirited dance party with a live DJ; an elegant garden gala with evening dress and canapés; a mindful moment in the company of your own thoughts. No matter the situation, there are few things in life more fulfilling than sitting on your own patio, sipping a delicious cocktail, and imbibing the sweet warmth of the summer sun.

No backyard is complete without a place to cool off in style. Take a look at these five stunning properties with some of the most splash-worthy pools around.