In keeping with the motifs of its inspiration—the hôtels particuliers of France—this stately manor in Pacific Heights is gracefully positioned “entre cour et jardin”—that is, between a refined entry courtyard and a glorious backyard garden. Its undeniably classic architecture and influence notwithstanding, the residence is a perfectly modern milieu, at ease with contemporary fittings and furnishings as well as technological comforts and conveniences. Its generous scale, lofty ceilings, expansive wall space, and thoughtfully placed lighting create the ideal environs for art.

This one-of-a-kind estate possesses a majestic scale, unabashed luxury, and romantic flair uncommon for its location in the rolling hills of Tarzana’s gated Mulholland Park enclave. Measuring some 10,280 square feet, clad in regal hand-etched Italian marble, and replete with breathtaking finesse, it is a home of Old World splendor, exemplifying an uncommon level of dazzling refinement.

Few other architects can claim to have influenced the distinctive aesthetic of Napa Valley the way Howard Backen has. The award-winning designer’s work is regularly described as subtly luxurious, elegantly rustic, and filled with a sense of intimacy, warmth, and stylish informality—all traits for which wine country is beloved the world over.

Pattern is more than just a point of interest or an aspect of style: it’s one of the fundamental elements of design. As humans, our eyes are naturally drawn to order and repetition—in a tumultuous world, patterns provide the pleasure of orderliness.

Most dreams of living “la dolce vita” involve an escape to the Italian countryside, but this magnificent 12,247-square-foot villa in Southern California affords a more approachable stateside version of the sweet life. The centerpiece of the 4.18-acre property, ensconced in the rolling hills of Montecito, is a home of majestic proportions and style, enveloped by stately cypress and native trees and dramatic, colorful grounds.

A glimpse of the idyllic outdoor spaces that envelop this elegant residence might immediately bring to mind a villa in the French countryside. With their orderly layout, timeless pea gravel, manicured plantings and trees, iron-trimmed French doors, and classical fountain—all overlooked by dreamy balconies—they have a decidedly romantic, Old World feel, but the location is as modern and New World as they come—a desirable thoroughfare in the fashionable Bird Streets of Los Angeles.

In a state more widely known for relaxed contemporary designs and the historic Mission aesthetic, this distinguished Federalist home designed by early-20th-century architect Frederick Kennedy Jr. strikes a distinctive tone. Enjoying a premier location in Pasadena’s prestigious Huntington Library District and dating to 1923, it has been re-imagined and thoroughly renovated to accommodate sophisticated modern living with every desirable amenity and convenience.

L.A.-based master architect William Hefner is known for his proficiency in both traditional and modernist styles and for his devotion to translating classic details for sophisticated contemporary living. His versatility and dedication are easily apparent in this new Beverly Hills home, where sleek, refined modern style is inflected with time-honored flair. Stately columns and wrought iron, arched windows, shutters, hardwood floors, and a grand sweeping staircase are among the elegant elements that bring touches of tradition to a residence that is decidedly au courant and state of the art. Chicly contrasting surfaces of black and white create a pleasingly minimalist air, yet the home feels far from spartan. Nearly every space boasts artful fixtures—from dramatic lighting to eye-catching hardware and faucets—and walls of glass afford dazzling, dynamic views.

In 1978, four friends set out to buy a house in Napa, Calif., and quickly discovered that they couldn’t afford what they wanted. So they enlisted a larger network of friends—acquaintances, really—to chip in to buy an $850,000, 950-acre property that they broke into 17 shares.

“We set up this communal landowning experiment,” says Bob Dickinson, one of the property’s stakeholders and the owner of Full Flood, a lighting design company. “We all were in our 20s or thereabouts, and we bought it—probably didn’t analyze it correctly—but got lucky. It turned out that we owned a piece of the most outstanding property, the kind people in California dream of.”

Beyond this home’s façade of striking contemporary lines and bold geometric angles, a path at the center of a landscape pool creates the uncommon sense of walking on water as it leads past thriving bamboo and fountains to the entrance. This feeling of other worldliness and serenity is fitting for a residence that was designed for health and wellness and that communes with its natural surroundings thanks to walls of glass that all but disappear, blurring the line between indoors and out and admitting floods of natural light.

Inside a Modern Spanish-Inspired Estate in the Hollywood Hills | Sweeping views and sophisticated style are hallmarks of this unique new estate in the Hollywood Hills. An effortless indoor-outdoor flow between the chic light-filled interiors and multiple alfresco living areas makes it a consummate setting for glamorous gatherings.

Incredible Coastal Contemporary Home in Carlsbad, California | Enjoy your morning coffee to the sound of the ocean while watching surfers at one of the most iconic Southern California surf breaks. Welcome your guests in grand style through La Cantina back doors that open up to an entertainers paradise or retreat to the top deck for white-water ocean views from La Jolla to Dana Point and enjoy a panoramic sunset.

The 1960s. In the golden age of Hollywood where glamour reigned supreme, decorating ones' home to feel as luxurious as a high-end hotel was de rigueur. And that aesthetic continues to inspire the interiors of homes today. After all, who doesn't love a velvet couch in the palest pink?