Whether classical and floral or modern and maximalist, few things create visual interest and transform everyday interiors like carefully chosen wallpaper.

If you’re considering selling your house, curb appeal is crucial. Good landscaping not only beautifies your home, but also increases its value. Depending on your area, a well-planned lawn and garden can increase your home’s worth by as much as 28%. Even if you’re not planning to move, garden design is an investment in your home. Though it might take a few years to reap full benefits as plantings mature, think of it as a venture that grows over time.

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.

With their endless amenities, ultramodern finishes, panoramic views, and trendy locales, today’s condos offer extensive value to the discerning buyer. Yet streamlining a space can help elevate a condo even further, and these design tips squeeze every drop out of square footage, without compromising on luxury to help you maximize your condo space.

The New Workout | 6 Inspiring Home Gyms : The new year ushers in a fresh start and new goals, and, for many people, the urge to get moving. It’s no surprise gyms are flooded with new members at the beginning of the year, which can make for a crowded workout experience. When the movement mood strikes, there’s a lot to be said for the luxury of working out in the privacy of your own home. The beautiful gyms and high-tech equipment in these six stunning properties will inspire anyone to start the new year in motion.

How to Choose the Best Contractor for Your Renovation | Early fall is the best time to renovate. No inclement weather to worry about yet, ample daylight to extend work into the evenings, and more opportunities for a condensed timeline. Choosing the right contractor to make your home renovation dreams a reality, however, can present a challenge.

Creating Cozy Corners | There’s something about a snug little spot that evokes all the warm-and-cozies.

“There’s nothing that gives off a homey vibe like a cozy nook; it’s the perfect space to curl up with a cup of tea and read a book,” says Christine Markatos Lowe of Christine Markatos Design in Santa Monica, Calif.

“We find that it is the small cozy areas that end up being used the most,” says Emily Williams, co-founder of BradyWilliams, an interior-design studio in London.

Unlocking the Power of Joyful Design | A Conversation with Ingrid Fetell Lee - We constantly receive advice on how we could be happier—cleanses, retreats, mindfulness—but according to industrial designer and author Ingrid Fetell Lee, the secret ingredients of joy may be found in our surroundings.

Lee has built a career studying the science of joy, and how everyday surroundings can engage us in ways that influence our emotional well-being. That’s the subject of her bestselling book Joyful: The Surprising Power of Ordinary Things to Create Extraordinary Happiness.

Full House | 6 Winning Game Rooms - From timeless Old World–inspired spaces with handsome woodwork to playful modern rooms with colorful décor, these stylish game rooms up the ante on form, function, and fun.

Rome’s Peak Neighbourhood | Monteverde Vecchio, perched atop Rome’s Gianicolo Hill, regally surveys the world over which it presides.

In the city of Seven Hills, Gianicolo (the English spelling is Janiculum) lays claim to No. 8. (Although it’s Rome’s second-tallest hill, it fell outside the boundaries of the ancient city when the seven were named.)

The Technological Advancements Making Singapore a Global Hotspot | From Marina Bay Sands to Merlion Park, Singapore’s architecture and iconography have become synonymous with life in a modern city. The city-state has emerged from its humble beginnings as a small fishing village to become a major economic player competing on the global stage—and a destination of choice for many of the world’s entrepreneurs and high-end homebuyers.

How did Singapore go from outpost to powerhouse? And how is it rising to the challenge of a modern digital age? Long before becoming the international city of the moment, Singapore laid the groundwork by investing in the technology and infrastructure now bringing its residents and visitors superlative quality of life. 

Design | 7 Futuristic Materials Having a Moment - What makes a house truly feel like a home? Aside from the events that take place between its walls, much of a home’s personality is found in the materials, textures, and accents that bring it together. While it can be time-consuming to keep up with the latest design trends—especially the perennials that come in and out with the seasons—incorporating the latest high-end materials into your home is an easy way to give a space an instant, luxurious update. From cozy fabrics to rich metals, here are seven futuristic materials to freshen any room.

"Come on in, the water's fine!" | Five Stylish Indoor Swimming Pools - Few things are more enticing than a dip in a swimming pool, no matter the season. But warm weather is fleeting, and these indoor pools—from Connecticut to Carmel—allow for year-round enjoyment while surrounded by polished style and dramatic views.

Artists are using their eyes to read books in a different way, architects are building residences that mirror their environments, and interior designers are rediscovering the finer points of magnificent details. Here are the latest trends in art, architecture, and design.

6 Modern Kitchen Features Every Home Needs | No remodel adds more value to your home than a kitchen overhaul: your efforts to update a kitchen often net out in a positive return on investment. But many modern kitchens are also replete with the kinds of bells and whistles that only the most serious cooks will ever use. Bypass the extraneous when you revamp by noting the following kitchen makeover must-haves.

Nestled in Toronto’s ritzy Yorkville neighbourhood, home to Chanel, Versace, Hermès and other luxury retailers, At Your Service, Fashion Insider Shares the Go-To Spots Gathered From Their Travels | Cabine is an anomaly. It’s housed in an unassuming brownstone identified only by its bright pink door, and gaining entrance is by invitation or appointment only. The intimate Cabine retail experience was founded by fashion veteran Nicholas Mellamphy and officially opened for business in 2018. Mellamphy brings one-of-a-kind pieces from the runways each season right to his clients — a small group of women from around the world who just happen to include celebrities and royalty (he doesn’t divulge names).

The evolution of luxury is personal, and for many, it is defined by experience, not price | In this issue of Insight: The Art of Living, we introduce you to people and places that reflect the future of luxury, as defined by creativity, craftsmanship and elevated experience, rather than simply by the price tag. You will meet notable Canadian designers Liz Eeuwes and Calla Haynes whose experimental styles are invigorating the world of high-end carpet-making. We’ll take you on a global journey to meet gourmet chocolatiers, such as CXBO, which makes edible art in Toronto, and To’ak in Ecuador, whose aged tree-to-bar chocolate pairs with vintage wines and fine whisky. Then join us as we explore the culturally rich, dynamic cities of Montreal, London and Cape Town, where luxury and design are being taken to new levels.

5 Contemporary Dwellings in Ibiza | For those looking to make the most of summer, thankfully, there’s Ibiza. Surrounded by vibrant Mediterranean waters, the third-largest Balearic Island is the definition of paradise. Though the island is known for its vibrant nightlife and live electronic music shows, a foray into the countryside and the island’s quieter villages reveals a more balanced tranquility. Here are five homes that embrace contemporary style without losing out on any of the dynamism of Ibiza.

Going with the Flow | 6 Estates with Private Lakes | Few things can compare to time spent private relaxing sound of fresh water, the cool shade of trees, and soothing sylvan scents create the most tranquil settings at these six estates, each of which includes its own peaceful private lake.

A Rarity on the River | When a home designed by the legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright is used as a guest house and not the main residence of an estate, you know you’ve entered rarified territory.

Welcome to The Falls. In the Washington, D.C., power suburb of McLean, Virginia, the 3.2-acre estate stands above, overlooking the Potomac River. The setting is equal to the main residence itself—a palatial home of sprawling entertainment spaces, private wings, vistas from every angle, and surprises at every turn.