Imagine, if you will, the perfect winter home. What does it look like? Is it a classic colonial with a foot of snow on the roof and smoke spiraling from the chimney? Perhaps the interior is crisp and bright, with sunshine streaming through the windows, blankets to warm cold toes, and a hot drink steaming on the stove. With a few thoughtful touches, any home can feel welcoming and warm, despite the chill outside.

‘Tis the season for good cheer—and that requires a great beverage for saying ‘cheers!’ with friends and family. Everyone has their own holiday traditions that involve special food and drink recipes, including Global Real Estate Advisor for Sotheby’s International Realty, Donna Burns, who has a fondness for hot apple cider. Burns, who is a luxury specialist and has bought and sold real estate on the Alabama and Florida coasts for 20 years, shares how something as simple as a warm beverage has the power to bring people together.

From Manhattan to San Francisco, these exceptional estates feature classic claw-footed tubs that transform baths into peaceful personal spas perfect for retreating for one warm, luxurious moment.

The majestic Sandia Mountains—named for the vibrant watermelon-red hue cast on their rugged terrain by the glow of New Mexico’s dramatic sunsets—stand stalwart above the thriving metropolis of Albuquerque. Where the far northeastern heights of the city meet the base of those alpine slopes is the Tanoan Country Club community, a bastion of superlative amenities and services, for which it has been heralded as one of the finest private clubs in the state.

Whether eye-catchingly ornate or minimal and sculptural, a dramatic staircase is a glamorous centerpiece to any home, from a renovated Victorian in San Francisco to a one-of-a-kind penthouse in Manhattan.

A truly inspired interior isn’t just something pretty to look at, it’s an immersive experience felt through every sense—including touch. The plushness of a shaggy rug underfoot, the splendor of running your fingers through a faux fur hide, the cozy lure of a hand-knit ottoman—by incorporating texture and tactility into your design, the look and feel becomes interactive. “Careful and thoughtful layering of a space makes a room come alive,” says Rome, Italy-based architect and designer Achille Salvagni. “Alongside color and materials, tactile elements are extremely important. These are the details that can complete a room and transform it from a clinical, sterile environment into a warm and inviting space,” he says.

In Paris in 1908, Albert Dupuy revolutionized cooking with his invention of the La Cornue oven. The tradition of excellence and elegance continues today, in ranges made by hand, in labor-intensive processes undertaken by specialist craftspeople. The results are both exceptional appliances and eye-catching works of art.

Fall heralds an unmatched refresh. Back-to-school excitement lingers and the season vibrates with a warm, soft potential that even New Year’s Eve can’t match. Now there is no frenzy, no internal guilt following summer’s long days that you must make the most of; just an efficient transition into a colourful new season.

Whether you’re looking to simply trim the deck with warm bulb lighting, add a new slope to your landscaping or rock garden, or linger in the private expanse of your beautiful backyard, here are some design tips to bring your home into autumn and refresh your outdoor space for fall.

Country style isn’t just an aesthetic—it’s an ethos, a route back to nature and simpler living. Get inspired to leave the city behind with these five gorgeous rustic homes, complete with spacious lots, exposed beams, generous wood-burning fireplaces, and plenty of room for daydreaming under starry skies.

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.

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

Designed for sunlit lounging and effortless day-to-day dining, these delightful breakfast nooks feature convenient banquettes, bright view windows, and distinctive style that make them appealing any time of day.

Prestigious Contemporary Residence in Westmount, Quebec, Canada | Nestled on a manicured 13,000 square-foot lot, this prestigious Upper Westmount home is a triumph in contemporary design, style, function, and luxury.

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.

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.

Less is More: 8 Minimalist Interior Design Trends | True minimal design is all about letting the design elements in a space speak for themselves. Whether you’re looking to completely renovate your home or simply update one room, these minimal interior design ideas will help you maximize the impact of your next project.

Dream Homes: 5 Coveted Toronto Condos | Toronto has an undeniable energy, matched only by its sophistication and style. With a world-class dining scene, dazzling nightlife of arts and sports entertainment, and exclusive shopping, the city’s vibrancy makes it a highly coveted place to call home. It’s only natural that Toronto’s most-desired properties are as sharp and brilliant as the city itself, right in the centre of it all.

8 Ideas for Transforming an Extra Room | Much like petits fours at the end of a delicious meal, an auxiliary room can often sweeten the deal when deciding on a property to add to your portfolio. Whether for business, in the case of a home office, or pleasure via a home theater, make the most of the extra square footage by introducing one of these additions to your home.

6 Simple Ways to Add Glamour to Your Bathroom Design | Whether a spacious ensuite or a curated powder room, the bathroom is a space replete with design possibilities. A place for reflection and rejuvenation, the bathroom deserves to be thought of as the retreat it is. Implementing savvy design choices in your bathroom can transform your morning routine, turning the space into a point of inspiration and leaving you refreshed for the day.

Ensure your bathroom keeps pace with the rest of your design-forward home via strategic updates, taking cues from these of-the-moment trends.