Frank Hardy Sotheby's International Realty

These Craftsman-style homes capture the warm, welcoming spirit of early-20th-century America with their natural materials, hand-wrought details, artisanal character, and organic palettes.

Historic Hollywood Charm

JoAnna Hennessy | Sotheby’s International Realty – Brentwood Brokerage

Dating to 1912 and painstakingly updated and augmented, this five-bedroom Craftsman-style residence provides a reminder of an enchanting bygone era. Its historic character is readily apparent in an iconic façade with storybook detailing, richly hued walnut floors, vintage windows and French doors, and period cabinetry and shelving; while museum-quality lighting, appliances, and baths are stylishly modern. The home is surrounded by lush landscaping, mature fruit trees, garden beds, and a pool on a private corner lot at the base of the Hollywood Hills.

A Piece of Pasadena History

 Mark Ogden | Sotheby’s International Realty – Pasadena Brokerage

Enveloped by lush, flourishing greenery near Brookside Park and the legendary Rose Bowl, this unique three-bedroom Pasadena home combines portions of an 1898 Craftsman residence and a 1950s addition. Eye-catching late-19th-century elements—including a low-pitched roof with exposed beams, a generous front porch, rugged woodwork and stonework, ornate leaded and stained glass, diamond-paned windows, and stately carved and coffered ceilings—harmonize with a pleasingly minimalist midcentury aesthetic. The property also includes inviting patio areas and a pool. 

Southern California Craftsman Compound

 Taryn Martin | Sotheby’s International Realty – Montecito – Coast Village Road Brokerage

In one of Santa Barbara’s most desirable neighborhoods, this gem was built in 1890 and represents a rare opportunity to own a piece of Southern California history. A wide, welcoming front porch; delightfully colorful window trim; warmly hued original hardwood floors; and eye-catching ceiling beams are among the lovely period details. The estate is a legal triplex, consisting of a 1,515-square-foot main residence and two additional one-bedroom apartments or guest quarters with private yards.

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Anthony Paradise and Sophia Germano – Sotheby’s International Realty – Beverly Hills Brokerage

Smaller homes are trending up for luxury homebuyers, especially near city centres where a more modest footprint can offer greater access to desired locations and amenities. But a smaller property doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice the luxury lifestyle, especially where keen design principles are employed to make the most of every square foot. 

This verdant and vibrant 1952 construction in Los Angeles’s Laurel Canyon neighborhood demonstrates this with aplomb, showcasing why high-end homeowners are reclaiming the “less is more” mindset and aesthetic. 

Here are four ways to embrace a more minimal home footprint.

1. Access the Essentials

Anthony Paradise and Sophia Germano – Sotheby’s International Realty – Beverly Hills Brokerage

A well-designed home can have everything a luxury homeowner desires without a multitude of enormous rooms. Streamlining a living space can cultivate a more intentional and convenient way of inhabiting that space. 

This property boasts a newly-renovated chef’s kitchen complete with custom cabinetry, countertops, and luxury brand appliances such as a Viking range, illustrating that bigger isn’t necessarily better. Thoughtful design can enable more compact living without the additional maintenance and upkeep that a larger estate would require.

2. Cultivate Inner Peace

Anthony Paradise and Sophia Germano – Sotheby’s International Realty – Beverly Hills Brokerage

There’s a synergy between internal and external states, and there’s no doubt that exquisite surroundings can enhance inner clarity and tranquility.

That’s why inner peace perfectly captures the attitude and ambience at this home—both indoors and outdoors. The fact that it’s set on a rare double lot means that it really does feel like a faraway refuge. The backyard sprawls leisurely across the sun-drenched landscape, where native flora proliferates alongside terraced patios and scenic outlooks that retain the pared-back beauty of the interiors. 

3. Enjoy True City Living

Anthony Paradise and Sophia Germano – Sotheby’s International Realty – Beverly Hills Brokerage

The trend of luxury homeowners abandoning downtown cores is waning. Post-pandemic, people are rediscovering that venturing out into the world can be endlessly fun and fulfilling. Increasingly, people prefer to delineate their lives inside and outside their domestic space, where home is a place of refuge and the city is a site of adventure.

Because the home is a place to rest, refresh, and rejuvenate, it doesn’t need to be burdened with too many belongings. Though it doesn’t seem like a classic pied-à-terre at a glance, this residence’s proximity to downtown Los Angeles puts it within casual driving distance of a global capital for fashion, culture, and cuisine.

4. Augment Charm

Anthony Paradise and Sophia Germano – Sotheby’s International Realty – Beverly Hills Brokerage

In many of the world’s most prestigious metropolises, space comes at a premium. Therefore, large properties may sacrifice both the quality of their indoor flow and the opportunities for outdoor living. But smaller homes can bring together the best of city and country living, provided that their interiors are thoughtfully designed.

This is brought to life in Laurel Canyon as the property unfolds in a series of well-designed, light-filled spaces that feel capacious despite being comfortably compact. And though they have their own one-of-a-kind character, with custom craftsmanship and thoughtful artistic flourishes, there’s a sense of continuity that unifies and elevates the residence.

A minimalist luxury home isn’t just a stereotype with chic white walls and sparse modern furniture. It’s a sanctuary that facilitates leisure and relaxation while prioritizing the essentials of daily living. 

The soothing style of a home’s interiors can greatly influence mood. See these 4 Homes With Serene Neutral Interiors.

From Houston’s leafy environs to the fertile terrain of California’s wine country, these welcoming homes greet visitors with front doors in cheerful, eye-catching hues.

Luxury in Los Feliz

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

Secluded from the street, this Colonial-style home dates to 1928 and exemplifies an uncommonly classic elegance for its Los Feliz location. A lush sunken courtyard with a vibrant front door is an inviting introduction, opening to light-filled living and dining rooms, a library, a cook’s kitchen, and a family room, all giving way to the outdoors and an alfresco kitchen and fireplace, a pool and spa, and a grassy yard. Six bedrooms and an office enjoy the privacy of the upper level.

Traditional Tanglewood Treasure

 Ruthie Porterfield | Martha Turner Sotheby’s International Realty

Contemporary flair and traditional style unite in this Neoclassical home in Houston. An elegant front door in alluring aubergine is set in a carved stone archway and topped with an eye-catching custom transom. Beyond is a 7,896-square-foot multilevel floor plan featuring six bedrooms, soaring ceilings, handsome millwork, architrave moldings, marble and oak floors, stone fireplaces, and marble countertops. The backyard boasts a loggia with a summer kitchen, sunny patios, and a refreshing pool.

Expansive Wrightian Hideaway

 Courtney Stanley| Sotheby’s International Realty – Carmel Valley Brokerage

This custom Carmel Valley home on 40 gently rolling acres pays homage to Frank Lloyd Wright with its midcentury modern angles and materials. Beyond unique turquoise front doors is an airy, fluid 6,160-square-foot floor plan with a chef’s kitchen, a dining area, and a welcoming living area—all crowned by 21-foot western red cedar ceilings. The property enchants with a 60-foot infinity-edge lap pool, a pool house, terraces, a vegetable garden, a greenhouse, glorious flora, majestic oaks, a barn, and space for equestrian pursuits.

Colonial Classicism in Wine Country

 Tara Polley | Sotheby’s International Realty – Sonoma Brokerage

This regal three-bedroom home in the charming town of Sebastopol has a bold red front door—framed by stately columns—that echoes the brilliant hue of the La Sevillana roses flourishing along the front yard’s storybook picket fence. The 3.51 acres that envelop the classical residence feature a gazebo flanked by blossoming cherry trees, an expansive entertaining courtyard, Italian fountains, fruit and flowering trees, raised garden beds, a greenhouse, a three-horse bar, open pasture, and parking for up to 40 cars.

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Respecting the past while embracing the future, award-winning architect Rich Granoff brought his creative talents to bear at this extraordinary estate in the midst of Greenwich’s glorious greenery. The 16.11-acre property is an unprecedented private getaway and an equestrian’s dream, featuring a five-bedroom 10,800-square-foot residence, a swimming pool and spa with a pool house, stately stables, a guesthouse or caretaker’s quarters, paddocks, vineyards, gardens, an orchard, and a superior-caliber riding arena.

Greenwich, Connecticut | Danielle Claroni, Christian Perry, Leslie McElwreath, Sotheby’s International Realty – Greenwich Brokerage

The home feels pulled from the pages of a storybook, a travelog, or Architectural Digest, with larger-than-life dimensions and dramatic finishes. Sturdy woods and striking stone create an ambience at once rustic and refined, in spaces reminiscent of Wild West lodges, alpine havens, French country châteaux, and indulgent spas. Throughout, oversized windows and glass doors admit floods of light and offer verdant views.

An antler chandelier suspended from a vaulted beamed ceiling serves as a centerpiece in the great room, where a stacked-stone fireplace delivers warmth and the rugged character of the Old West year-round. The window-wrapped formal dining room has its own fireplace along with doors to a wraparound deck—accessed via nearly every room on the main level. The French country kitchen is a spectacular space with stone walls, a one-of-a-kind John Yarema wood floor, two islands, a custom collection of four La Cornue ranges. The dining area is warmed by a fireplace and enjoys a clear view of the enveloping greenery through folding glass doors. Steps away is a covetable collection of spaces for recreation and entertaining: a billiards room with two double-door wine refrigerators, which it shares with a lounge and fully equipped cocktail bar. A nearby game room overlooks the breakfast area.

Restful bedrooms and baths arrayed in distinct color schemes—green, orange, and blue—share the main level yet are consummately private. The primary suite is accented by a white Zebrino marble fireplace and includes a bath with a dazzling stone shower wall, uniquely backlit vanities, and a dazzling marble soaking tub. A secluded aerie with a sitting area and rose-hued bath occupies the uppermost level. The busy professional will appreciate the office and a paneled library with a fireplace, doors to the deck, and a western view into the leafy trees—both ideal spaces for quiet contemplation.

Paths meander throughout the enchanting grounds. A short stroll from the main residence is a pool house and finely appointed one-bedroom guest apartment with a garage. It accompanies a sun-washed terrace with a stone fireplace, a pizza oven, and a refreshing pool and spa surrounded by tufty grasses and tall trees—with nary a neighbor in sight.

The guesthouse or caretaker’s quarters is a five-bedroom French country–inspired haven featuring an elegant living room with wide-plank hardwood floors, a dining room with a soaring pitched ceiling, a cook’s kitchen, and a generous office. A tack room and an après-riding lounge with a kitchenette complete the compelling picture. The Provençal inspiration persists at the impressive stables, which center around a paver courtyard with an Old World fountain and accommodate up to 12 horses.

The property feels surprisingly self-sufficient, with merlot and cabernet vineyards; an orchard of apple, pear, peach, and cherry trees; dedicated vegetable gardens; a pastoral pond; and coops for all manner of birds. Further afield are the estate’s raison d’être: grassy paddocks with run-in sheds, a laser-leveled dressage arena with dust-free footing, and a stone-paved viewing area. Among the things for which Greenwich is beloved is its historic trail system, easily accessed from the rolling expanses of this peerless property. Giddyup!

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In these easy, breezy getaways, colors and textures reflecting the seaside’s surf, sand, and sky impart a relaxing and relaxed coastal aesthetic that epitomizes summer.

Delightful Hamptons Gem

Rylan Jacka | Sotheby’s International Realty – East Hampton Brokerage

This delightfully inviting four-bedroom home enjoys the peaceful privacy of a quiet, secluded location on a flag lot enveloped by reserve land near Amagansett. Blues, greens, and rustic browns echo the wooded surroundings, the vibrant flora, and the waters off bucolic Louse Point Beach and the Barnes Landing Association’s own sandy shoreline, only moments away. Outdoor living is effortless thanks to an emerald lawn, tasteful landscaping, an alfresco dining area, and a heated infinity-edge pool with a sun shelf.

Cape Cod Charmer

 Gene Orloff | Sotheby’s International Realty – Osterville Brokerage

A feeling of loftiness and light pervades this charming 4,530-square-foot home in the Willowbend community. The open floor plan features a kitchen with Viking appliances and quartz countertops, a dining area, a relaxing family room, a welcoming living room, a game room, and five bedrooms. Abundant windows and glass doors admit a lovely glow, and spaces flow directly to a deck overlooking impressively green grounds. Pops of blue throughout the classically coastal interiors serve as a reminder of the water, mere moments away.

Oceanfront Aerie

 Houghton Hyatt, Maureen McDermut | Sotheby’s International Realty – Montecito – Coast Village Road Brokerage

Blue sky and the majestic Pacific provide a mesmerizing backdrop for this enchanting single-level Spanish-inspired adobe home and freestanding guesthouse, which are perched high on a bluff above the Santa Barbara shoreline. Stylishly serene natural neutral materials and hues, vaulted ceilings, and abundant natural light contribute to the coastal ambience. A verandah and lush lawn encourage enjoyment of sunset, water, and island views. A shared private path leads directly to the beach and some 100 feet of unobstructed ocean frontage.

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Mark Lowham and Daniel Heider – TTR Sotheby’s International Realty

Luxury estates often feature water, an element that affords a sense of total relaxation and peacefulness. While conventional pools remain incredibly popular amenities, water features offer unique visual resplendence and musical rhythms. 

Here are four that span the spectrum from traditional to contemporary, and reimagine how water can be creatively incorporated into a residential property.

Outdoor Luxury Living in McLean

Mark Lowham and Daniel Heider – TTR Sotheby’s International Realty

McLean, Virginia boasts a wealth of palatial homes. But even by the exacting local standards, Chateau du Soleil is unique. Taking design queues from 18th-century French architecture—so much so that its ballroom was modeled after Versailles—the estate’s mansion is a limestone and white marble masterpiece spanning some 22,000 square feet.

But what this home accomplishes with water is exceptional on multiple levels—literally, since the modern lap pool descends in a terraced waterfall, while well-placed fountains enhance the stateliness of the exterior. There’s also a smaller, spa-like pool with a delicate curtain of therapeutic spray and an unobstructed view of the 200-inch outdoor television. With their structural ingenuity, the water features here lend a whole new meaning to “top tier.”

Remembrances of Days Past in the Berkshires

Patrice Melluzzo – William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty

The bucolic landscapes of the Berkshires seem to belong to another world, or at least to another time. The abundant verdure and vistas of rolling mountains evoke an ambience of comfort and nostalgia, while also inspiring a sense of awe. The same can be said for this majestic estate, which is almost imperial in grandeur and scale, while also retaining the charm and whimsy of a country cottage.

Lush flower-rich gardens follow the slope of the hillside from the panoramic backdoors towards acres of meadows and woods. And, most importantly, hearkening back to yesteryear is a picturesque fountain and quiet stone pool. Water flows from its central, circular arch into a chalice-like receptacle—then, from there, is channeled in rivulets down grooved contours to sound a patter as refreshing as summer rain. It imbues the site with a meditative, almost mystical quality.

A Congregation of the Elements in Tierra Verde

Robyn Gunn – Premier Sotheby’s International Realty

Located adjacent to the peaceful and pristine Shell Key Preserve, Tierra Verde is aptly named. The term means “green land,” and the area is graced by isles, mangroves, marinas, and, of course, Tre Sorelle, a traditional Tuscan-style farmhouse built beneath the Florida sun.

Of all its phenomenal outdoor features, perhaps this property’s most striking one is the stylized stone stairway that leads to a fire pit surrounded by cobbled bench seating and a stunning, mirror-like moat. Flickering flames, fresh water, earthen estate, and open sky unites the elements in a gathering place truly unlike any other.

Tropical Sojourning in the Rocky Mountains

Heather Graham and Sean Endsley – LIV Sotheby’s International Realty 

Evergreen is a dream destination positioned between breathtaking Colorado mountain peaks that are a hiker’s paradise in the summer and a skier’s delight in the winter. To live at this estate takes luxury to a whole new level, with its private, seven-bedroom mountaintop resort providing an exemplary all-season retreat.

Whatever the season, the indoor pool with water features provides a portal to perpetual summer, with fanning palm trees and colorful tropical flowers offering a floral counterpoint to the surrounding eponymous evergreens for which the area is named. In this otherworldly oasis, waterfalls cascade from craggy outcroppings, while the stunningly crafted ceiling is a canopy of azure sky.

 Water features are not created equal. There are those, like the four showcased here, that do something truly inspired with water features. They leave a lasting impression on those who encounter them, and continuously foster contemplation and joy for those lucky enough to live with them.

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During the long, sunny days and warm nights of summer, few things are more enticing than a rejuvenating dip, swim, or float. From East Coast to West, these swimming pools allow for refreshing relaxation in sophisticated settings.

Sophisticated Palm Beach Villa

 Suzanne Ainslie, John Cregan | Sotheby’s International Realty – Palm Beach Brokerage

Designed by esteemed area architect Nelo Freijomel, this new five-bedroom villa is a bright, breezy, and sophisticated haven just steps from the beach. Stylish living and entertaining are easy here thanks to a chef’s kitchen with a wine closet, a living room with an underlit seaglass bar, and a loggia with retractable screens, a fireplace, and an outdoor television. A refreshing pool with LED lighting, deck jets, and stars embedded in its floor is surrounded by vivid grass, trees, and flowers.

Long Island Idyll

 Ritchey Howe, Holly Hodder | Sotheby’s International Realty – Southampton Brokerage

In an idyllic setting in the hamlet of Water Mill, this enchanting home has a storybook charm and views across a reserve to Mill Pond. In addition to three bedrooms, it features a modern kitchen with marble counters and superior appliances, a living room with a gas fireplace, a dining room opening to an inviting screened-in porch, and an upper-level deck with one of two outdoor showers. The 60-foot swimming pool and its accompanying waterfall spa are enveloped by towering trees that create soothing shade.

Texas Treasure

 Kim Rensimer | Martha Turner Sotheby’s International Realty

This magnificent tree-strewn compound occupies 3.3 lush irrigated acres in peaceful Katy, Texas. An elegant 6,193-square-foot residence with a whole-house generator is the centerpiece of a diverting estate that also offers a charming guesthouse, an outdoor kitchen, alfresco living and entertaining spaces with a fireplace, a lighted sports court, a two-stable horse barn with a tack room, and a fenced riding arena. A sunny stone terrace envelops a resort-caliber swimming pool and spa with an artful stone waterfall.

Mediterranean-Inspired Refinement

 Maurice Frazier | Sotheby’s International Realty – Sherman Oaks Brokerage

This impressive seven-bedroom Mediterranean-style residence and its freestanding one-bedroom guesthouse enjoy a prime location surrounded by swaying palms in the prestigious Calabasas community of Mountain View Estates. They share the emerald acreage with a sports court, two levels of alfresco living and entertaining space that includes an outdoor kitchen, and a large refreshing swimming pool and spa with an elegant cabana and a vast vista of rolling hills and majestic mountains.

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Published: June 22, 2023 | By: American Luxury Staff

The Manhattan pied-a-terre of Big Bang Theory principal cast member Kunal Nayyar hit the open market this spring. The condo property in the NoMad district is asking $2.8 million as of article composition. A duplex residence, it contains one bedroom and two baths across its 1,285 sq. ft. of interior living area.

The ornate building dates to 1900, and features Renaissance Revival architecture. Its limestone first level is capped by red brick, and it rises thirteen stories above terra firma.

The unit in question is a penthouse, and it is positioned to make the most of the available natural light, with plentiful glass and public and private spaces that offer good exposure. Its interior space is augmented by an additional fair-weather spot: it features a landscaped 418 sq. ft. terrace off the bedroom; for cooler temps, there’s a glassed-in sunroom (or winter reading nook) between the bedroom and terrace.

The layout places the bedroom on the upper level, which is accessible via an open staircase accented by a landing. Details of the lower-level living area include eleven-foot ceilings, a tasteful galley kitchen with a ceiling-mounted vent over an island range, and a large living room illuminated by a pair of oversized windows that offer views of the city life thirteen levels below. Oak plank floors run throughout the unit, excluding the bathrooms, of course, where marble tile carries the day.

Nayyar’s upcoming projects include Netflix science-fiction drama Spaceman, with Adam Sandler.More info

Published: June 8, 2023 | By: American Luxury Staff

Actor Penn Badgley listed his Catskills getaway on the open market this month with an asking price of $1.7 million. Badgley — the lead in the critically acclaimed Netflix series You — has owned the retreat since last summer.

The property is located in the alpine hamlet of Olive, New York, a hop skip and jump from the Ashokan Reservoir. It’s a ten-acre parcel, partially wooded, with mountain views. A solar array lies discreetly off to one side of the lawn. The property also features geothermal harvesting for the 3,500 square-footer’s energy needs.

The house dates to 2013. A white pine P&B structure is the lattice for a convincing farmhouse, with the spatial and lifestyle largesse especially prominent; witness the large, sweeping wraparound porch. Inside, the four-bedroom, four-bath home is charmingly rustic, although a contemporary restraint prevails.

The shared space is open concept, with plank floors finished very warm and plentiful glass for abundant natural light. The country life simplicity is a constant. A bluestone mudroom with a wraparound boot bench is the point of entry, and the kitchen is outfitted with soapstone counters, a butcher-block-capped island, a six-burner stove, and a woodstove; an all-business enclosed fireplace in a stone accent wall also contributes to winter comfort.

As currently configured, the property has numerous specialty spaces, including an upper-level music room (Roland JC, drum kit and Rhodes presumably not included with sale), a library, and a 2-bay garage.More infoFor more information, contact James Amburn and Angelica Ferguson of Four Seasons Sotheby’s Int’l-K

Russell Reddell and Matt Finnigan – New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty 

Water sustains the survival of everything on Earth. The sight of water is soothing to our eyes, the sound of it is comforting to our ears, and the touch of it is calming to our souls. So it’s only natural that homes that stand at the land’s end have always held a special appeal and are highly sought after in luxury real estate.

Here are five fabulous properties that gracefully complement the qualities seen in their local landscapes and seascapes without getting lost in them. 

The Sublimity of the Pacific Northwest

Christopher Hobbs – Sotheby’s International Realty Canada

The entire Pacific Northwest coast is shaped by the water. Surging mists roll off the surf and nourish the temperate rainforests, giving rise to some of the most productive and regenerative ecosystems on Earth.

Christopher Hobbs – Sotheby’s International Realty Canada

With bright wooden architecture that accentuates the madrone trees growing along the rugged shoreline, as well as entire walls of glass, the aptly named “Light House” makes the most of its splendid location. The combination of panoramic windows and connected sundecks, gardens, patios, and pathways provide ideal indoor-outdoor living spaces set in harmony with the landscape.

The Intensity of the Mediterranean Sea

Marco Alberti – Italy Sotheby’s International Realty

Warm in summer and mild in winter, the Mediterranean Sea extends an irresistible invitation to enjoy and indulge. It’s immersive in every way; aesthetically, with the brilliant blue of its surface, and physically, with its balmy, spa-like waters. It’s the kind of place that must be experienced to be believed.

Marco Alberti – Italy Sotheby’s International Realty

Its second-largest island of Sardinia epitomizes this, which is what made it so attractive to legendary Italian fashion designer and entrepreneur Mariuccia Mandelli. She built this two-floor villa with interior living spaces so sumptuous, luminous, and vast that they feel like authentic extensions of the nearby beach.

The Radiance of the Aegean Coastline

Despina Laou – Greece Sotheby’s International Realty 

The geography of the Aegean Sea is a fantastical setting, offering a gorgeous stretch of water famed for the sheer number of archipelagos it contains.

Despina Laou – Greece Sotheby’s International Realty 

“Sea Melody,” a magnificent property on Paros, is in the middle of this stunning scenery. The flat, geometric contours of the home are tastefully contiguous with the low-lying islands in its vicinity, and the sprawling 49-foot pool mirrors the azure skies and brings the water right to the center of the residence.

The Dynamism of the Otago Mountains

Russell Reddell and Matt Finnigan – New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty 

No mountain range deserves its name more than the Remarkables, with its striking silhouette rising over the shores of Lake Wakatipu. The streams, ponds, and lakes in its foothills teem with fresh meltwater year-round, holding a mirror to the summits and skies.

Russell Reddell and Matt Finnigan – New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty 

Nowhere is this more pronounced than at “Pokapu,” an award-winning feat of architecture that reflects the terrain—from the staggered angles of its roofs to the stones of its pillars and chimneys. The natural materials are infused with warm tones that make the home a pleasing, welcoming retreat in any season.

The Endlessness of the South Atlantic

Andrea Glew – Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty 

Open ocean is arresting to behold, especially at the extreme end of the world’s second-largest continent. On the tip of South Africa, the water spreads to the distant horizon in three directions, conjuring a singular sense of boundlessness.

Andrea Glew – Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty 

This particular residence capitalizes on Cape Town’s topography to provide the most breathtaking evening vistas. And from the expansive indoor areas to the outdoor verandas and lawns, the floorplan beautifully follows the contours of the rocky outcropping it occupies.

Water is precious—and while more than 70% of our blue planet may be covered in it, the opportunity to reside in its immediate presence still feels like a rare and sacred privilege. That’s why homes near the water are so resolutely sought after, and it’s why these five unique properties are ultimately so spectacular.

Some homes not only complement their environment, but mirror the landscape. See these 5 homes that blend seamlessly with their surroundings.