Whether in a classic New England coastal setting or part of a stunning modern remodel of a San Francisco Victorian, a stylish fire pit can turn any backyard or balcony into an idyllic outdoor oasis.

There’s nothing like walking into a stunning hotel room. This moment is where both big and small vacations begin. Hotel rooms provide just the right mix of things you want and things you need. They usually include a good bed, luxurious sheets and blankets, tasteful decorations and a few indulgences.

Summer is in full swing, bringing with it long days, shimmering pools, cocktails, and lazy afternoons with the latest bestsellers. For the innovative homeowner, the pool patio can be so much more than a functional space for dripping on the concrete. From cozy furnishings to vivid foliage, here are some ideas to refresh your backyard and turn your major water feature into a fabulous oasis.

Italy’s Amalfi Coast has long been an attractive destination for travelers seeking sun and inspiring landscapes. The 30 miles of coast is a slice of idyllic beauty, where winding roads lead to historical villages, inviting town squares, pebbled bays, and hidden beaches. From Sorrento to Salerno, the palette of the Amalfi Coast is a rainbow to lift any spirits.

Whether it’s the sea-inspired sapphires or the mountainous greys that catch your eye, there’s a way to bring a bit of Italy into your home no matter where in the world you find yourself. Here are the shades we recommend to make the Amalfi Coast feel closer.

Floral paintings are making a contemporary comeback, farmhouses are getting modern face-lifts, and rooms are offering design “experiences.” Here are the latest trends in art, architecture, and design.

In March, for only the fourth time in its 43-year history, the Pritzker Architecture Prize was awarded to a woman—two women, in fact. Irish architects Yvonne Farrell and Shelley McNamara were named the 2020 Pritzker Prize Laureates, a designation that reflects the important work being done by women across the world to bring new perspectives and boundary-defying vision to the buildings that influence our skylines.

But women in architecture are not an exception to a rule: they have been changing landscapes for decades. Farrell and McNamara are co-founders of Grafton Architects, a firm they established in 1978. Specializing in rationalist architecture styles and sustainable design, their selected works include the Universita Luigi Bocconi in Milan—named the World Building of the Year in 2008—and the Medical School at the University of Limerick. They also served as the co-curators for the 16th International Architecture Exhibition at La Biennale di Venezia in 2018.

Ah, condo patios—that beautiful little slice of outdoors in the sky, the oasis built into your urban home. An oasis that can quickly become overrun with pots of neglected plants, mismatched garden furniture, and bikes waiting to be stored.

When you first move into a condo, the patio seems filled with limitless possibilities. But if you’re not careful, it’s easy to start using the space as a form of fresh air storage. Follow these steps to make sure you get the most of your condo’s balconies and outdoors spaces.

Circular homes make a striking statement.

These high-design residences are often one-of-a-kind, with interiors as novel as their curving facades. “When you’re buying luxury, you don’t want it to be a cookie-cutter home,” says Michael Pallier, the managing director of Sydney Sotheby’s International Realty. “You want something unique. A distinctive home means something to a buyer.”

Round residences certainly qualify. They are also somewhat rare, according to Pallier, giving them a rarified vibe. He is currently representing the Oculus, an “interstellar” Sydney, Australia, home that melds an expansive circular entertaining area with a more traditionally shaped wing that encompasses the kitchen and bedrooms. The six-bedroom, five-bathroom home was by architect Frank Fox in 1961. The circular entertaining area is at the center of Fox’s design.

On the walls of the New York loft of acclaimed design firm Søren Rose Studio are two photos: one of Steve McQueen—“understated and ever-cool”—and another of Keith Richards, the hard-partying, “rough and rugged gentleman.” These seeming opposites inspire the team to create original interiors that blend “Scandinavian poise” and “downtown grit.”

Beautiful residential gardens are the green equivalent of surround sound. They envelop, intensify, and enrich the very experience of being. It’s like an embrace from nature.

The opportunity to interact with the landscape provides homeowners with a sense of belonging. “The more personal, the more meaningful,” says Edward Furner, landscape designer and horticulturalist at Mariani Landscape in Lake Bluff, Ill. “Engaging in the landscape—that’s the ideal scenario where homeowners are reaping the biggest benefit.”

It might seem wild to build a splendid cabin mere miles from two active volcanoes, and yet, that’s exactly what happened with this Hawaiian vacation home. Working with architect Loch Soderquist, owner Jeff Brink built the compact dwelling in a forest on Big Island, just five miles from Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

Whether you’re considering minor updates to perk up a room, or a full-scale renovation of your entire home, it’s important to be aware of how renovations might affect your property value, especially if you’re thinking of selling in the near future.

As more people become increasingly aware of the effects of our energy consumption on climate change, homeowners are choosing to adopt more sustainable design solutions. Creating a welcoming, stylish home is now as much about putting thoughtful care into responsibly sourced furnishings as it is about picking pieces that suit you and your family’s needs. Conscientious, sustainable interior design is all about balancing these impulses—it’s about making smart choices for the environment without having to sacrifice beauty or function.

Timeless views are here. Perched atop buildings from Manhattan to Montecito, these enviable roof terraces allow for alfresco relaxation in lofty locations with breathtaking backdrops.

On 1.45 acres at the base of Mount Tamalpais, just north of San Francisco and the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, this unprecedented five-bedroom residence—the result of years of dedication on the part of Quezada Architecture and a team of designers, engineers, and contractors—was built in 2014 and has been lovingly maintained by its sole owners. Composed of classic contemporary lines formed from oxidized steel, cedar, glass, and metal, it seems to jut forth, a dramatic extension of the land that surrounds it.

Neon is reinventing itself as a 21st-century art form; residential layouts are flexing their nontraditional muscles; and furnishings are flaunting their curves. Here are the latest trends in art, architecture, and design.

By now, many of us have been home and sheltering in place for over a month. We have gone through many different phases while adapting to a “new normal” and we might be feeling seemingly more adjusted to our current reality. We’ve discussed finding creative ways to stay fit and ways to broaden our personal skillsets, and now we want to shift gears and offer suggestions for you to sit back and relax with your family. Here are five ways to enjoy culture and the arts from the comfort of our couches.

At the G7 summit last summer in Biarritz, France, 32 of fashion’s biggest players came together to sign The FashionPact with its mandate of emphasizing sustainable efforts across the industry while combatting the greenhouse gases It’s responsible for emitting.

Organized by François-Henri Pinault, CEO of Paris-based luxury-goods group Kering, at the request of French president Emmanuel Macron, the alliance was signed by titans Chanel, Hermès and Prada, as well as fast-fashion H&M Group and Zara, whose knack for speedy mass production is at the very core of what’s being questioned in the industry. The pact is not legally binding, but its backers are making steps forward.

Inside an Architect’s Home in Greenwich | Rarely does a renowned architect decide to sell his personal residence. Richard Granoff, at the top of the field in Greenwich, and his wife, business executive Jill Granoff, renovated and expanded this timeless home, portions of which date to 1907, creating a warm modern estate that blends traditional and contemporary styles. Over the years, the more-than-6,000-square-foot residence has been featured in numerous publications, from The New York Times to Cottages & Gardens.

For many people, the “office” isn’t a corner office in a high-rise building—it’s at home. With the current global health crisis shaking up how business is done, more and more people are finding themselves working from their living spaces.

Working from home can be a tough transition for those unfamiliar with and unprepared for it, but there are a few ways to furnish your home for a better remote work environment. From rearranging furniture and seeking out more ergonomic solutions to creating an inspiring and motivating space, these tips will help the remote worker set boundaries between home life and work life, even if they’re both happening within the same four walls.