As the crisp autumn air ushers in a season of change, we’re thrilled to welcome you to the Fall edition of RESIDE, your premier guide to the world of luxury real estate and refined living. This issue is a celebration of the extraordinary—a curated journey through some of the most captivating properties and design trends that define luxury living today.
Prepare to be inspired as we take you behind the doors of Ireland’s stunning country homes, where timeless elegance meets contemporary comfort. Discover how the unexpected splash of red is revolutionizing interior design, adding bold character to sophisticated spaces.
We’re also excited to share an exclusive interview with Michael K. Chen, a visionary in residential design. His innovative approach to modern living spaces will undoubtedly spark your imagination and perhaps influence your next home renovation.
But that’s not all – from India’s new design fair to the surrealism of Mexico, from bold statement rugs to
contemporary art in historic homes, this issue is brimming with inspiration and exclusive property insights that only RESIDE can offer.
We invite you to lose yourself in the pages of this Fall issue, and then take the next step in your luxury real estate journey. Explore our featured properties and discover how Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty can turn your real estate dreams into reality.
Here’s to a season of beauty, inspiration, and the pursuit of extraordinary living.
Enjoy the journey.
DEIRDRE O’CONNELL Chief Executive Officer Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty
14 Making a Statement
Newly daring, bold and colorful rugs are works of art in their own right, says Helen Parton
20 An Eye for Detail
New York architect Michael K. Chen talks to Alex Bozikovic about crafting joyful interiors for a better life
26 Living on the Edge
Toronto’s Harbourfront neighborhood has been transformed into a thriving hub of culture and leisure. Lev Bratishenko reports
34 A Bit of Rouge
Ever heard of “unexpected red”? The new interiors trend is sure to make an impact, says Paula Mejía
38 Surreal City
In the 1940s, Mexico City became a home for surrealism, where artist relationships blossomed, Christopher Alessandrini finds
44 A Certain Glow
Riya Patel meets three lighting designers around the world whose work is driven by artistic sensibilities
50 Past Meets Present
Contemporary art in historic European houses is establishing new cultural dialogues, says Amah-Rose Abrams
Victoria
Everything goes rose-tinted as the trend for salmon-dial watches heats up
10 Design
This fall sees the arrival of Design Mumbai— India’s premium fair for furniture
12 Culture
In Kristiansand, Norway, a new museum creates a cathedral-like space for modernist art
Photos: Anson Smart, Sun Ranch; Brooke Holm.
Reside magazine is published three times per year by Sotheby’s International Realty
Sotheby’s International Realty
Publisher Kristin Rowe
Cultureshock
Editor Nancy Groves (maternity leave)
Acting editor Francesca Perry
Editorial team Rachel Potts, Alex McFadyen, Deniz Nazim-Englund
Sumptuous kitchens are the heart of the home in these properties, from Colorado to Amsterdam
64 Gallery
An exclusive collection of the most exceptional homes on the market now
Listed by Jennifer I Hui Lo and TsungMou (Richard) Hsieh
Far left: A lamp by Lana Launay hangs in the Sun Ranch retreat in Australia’s Byron Bay (page 44). Left: Architect Michael K. Chen’s Nomad Loft embraces color (page 20). Above: Listed by Aroza Sanjana and Jose Nunez.
INTERIORS
Rural Retreats
Inside Ireland’s incredible heritage homes—from grand castles to country houses
Robert O’Byrne has made a career out of wangling his way into stunning homes. “My life is going around visiting people, whether they want me there or not,” jokes the author and lecturer, whose interest in Irish architectural heritage has generated numerous books—including 2009’s “Romantic Irish Homes”—and a popular blog, “The Irish Aesthete”. He says he knows most of Ireland’s stately homeowners.
O’Byrne’s little black book has now been mined for a handsome new tome. “The Irish Country House: A New Vision” (Rizzoli) documents 15 exceptional properties, ranging from castles to villas, across an array of periods and architectural styles.
There is the stately Summergrove in County Laois, in the heart of the country, with its elegant facade of Venetian and Diocletian windows and interior features such as pedimented doorcases and rococo plasterwork. In County Longford, the Georgian-era Castlecor House includes an octagonal hunting lodge, complete with Corinthian columns, a four-sided fireplace and 19th-century neo-Egyptian stencil work.
The history of Killua Castle, meanwhile —situated one hour outside Dublin—charts how a classical mansion was transformed into a neo-Gothic fortress, and later from wreck to renovation. The process was overseen by the banker Allen SanginésKrause and his wife Lorena, who have also filled the home with their collection of medieval and early Renaissance art.
Killua highlights a unifying theme in the book: all the properties have been chosen to counter the image of Ireland’s grand houses as in decay. “It’s a narrative going back hundreds of years that the Irish country house is on the verge of collapse,” says O’Byrne. “Very often one tends to overplay the decaying, the falling down, the lapsing
into ruin.” With this new book, however, he wants to “tell a positive story,” adding that there are “wonderful properties all over Ireland that are being rescued and restored.”
How the new homeowners are reviving the interiors—from reinstating four-poster beds to adding hand-printed reproduction wallpaper—is an intriguing part of the story, told visually by photographer by Luke White. The 18th-century villa Killoughter, for instance, is enlivened with Irish landscape paintings, hand-colored prints of Dublin and antique wood carvings from the workshop of Dutch sculptor Grinling Gibbons, collected by the owner, former banker and businessman Sir David Davies.
Davies is also the president of the Irish Georgian Society, whose aim is to “conserve, protect and foster an interest and a respect for Ireland’s architectural heritage.” This book shows how dedicated individuals are bringing such an endeavor to life by reimagining the country’s landmarks, and making them newly relevant.
Victoria Woodcock is a writer covering design, craft and art
Historic Beauty
In the late 16th century, the Irish Gaelic MacEgan clan built Killaleigh Castle in what is now County Tipperary. By the 1700s, however, changing tastes resulted in the owners at that time—the Sadlier family—building a grand new manor adjacent to the castle as their primary residence: Sopwell Hall. Thought to have been designed by architect Francis Bindon in 1745, the estate is an impressive example of the early Georgian style. Inside, a high-ceilinged reception hall with classical arches is complemented by a carved wooden staircase and sienna scagliola marble columns. The current owner, an expert in 17th-century antiques, has spent years restoring the 10-bedroom house. Now, both the manor and the castle—set in 300 luscious acres of woodland and park—are available for a new owner to enjoy, stewarding history into the future.
Price upon request
Property ID: 4T3PL2
sothebysrealty.com
Lisney Sotheby’s International Realty
David Ashmore +353 1 662 4511
Clockwise from far left: The music room at Killua Castle; “The Irish Country House: A New Vision” by Robert O’Byrne (Rizzoli); An ornate Victorian chimneypiece in Summergrove
WATCHES
Rosy Appeal
A fresh twist on classic design led to a collecting craze for salmon-dial timepieces
The color pink is a magnet for opinions: everyone has feelings about it. Depending on the shade, the color can bring up feelings of frivolity, rebellion, seduction or even emotional sensitivity (e.g., blushing is defined as “becoming pink in the face from embarrassment”). Suffice to say, pink has many connotations in our culture. Yet when this hue appears on a watch dial, it is immediately recognized by those in the know for its unconventional charm and elusive status.
Pink dials are rose gold in tone, ranging from rust-colored to dusty rose pink, commonly referred to as “salmon” in the world of horology. This palette has been considered gender neutral and sophisticated since the 19th century.
An alloy of pure 24-carat yellow gold, copper and silver in jewelry creates this pinkish hue, once called Russian gold because of its popularity in the region.
Rose gold’s jewel tone pervaded art and jewelry during the art deco period, influencing notable watch manufacturers including Rolex, Jaeger-LeCoultre and Patek Philippe to produce their blush-colored dials in the 1930s and 1940s. These distinctive movements may appeal to a select few, but they have graced the wrists of some of the most discerning customers ever since. Perhaps because of their unique and pleasing color scheme—evoking elements of the past while remaining decidedly modern—this once niche category of watches is finding favor with many enthusiasts today.
Designers have historically used the dial as a canvas to differentiate themselves from the competition. Salmon dials add another dimension of appeal for today’s buyers since it is unlikely anyone else will have quite the same timepiece. While these watches may not be as common as their silver- or black-dial counterparts, Leigh Safar, Sotheby’s global head of Important Collections, Watches, does not anticipate this color trend going away soon. “Based on what we are seeing in the market, I don’t think it’s a coincidence that they always achieve an incredible price,” she says. “They’re rare but still very neutral.”
Since World War I, the wristwatch, a technological feat accompanied by the craftsmanship and materials of fine jewelry, has been generally perceived as a masculine accessory. Safar believes the aesthetics and collectibility of these watches make them popular with men and a small but growing number of women collectors.
Unusual shades in the watch world are nothing new, but the first tone-on-tone examples of rose-gold dials and rose-gold bezels are some of the most sought-after watches today. For example, a salmon-faced Patek Philippe reference 1518 chronograph watch from 1948, once belonging to the prince of Egypt, sold at Sotheby’s for $9.6 million in 2021, making it the most expensive watch sold in the auction house’s history or anywhere else on the market that year. Patek Philippe’s production has always been famously scarce: this esteemed crème-de-la-crème watchmaker produces just 62,000 watches annually.
Today many collectors are interested in salmon dials with contrasting white metal cases, especially stainless steel, introduced in Rolex’s Bubbleback and Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Reverso during the 1930s. Some contemporary iterations of these classics are also designed with salmon dials, elevating conventional pieces with their atypical coloration.
While salmon-faced watches are still considered rare, they are no longer gatekept. Diverse watch collectors of all ages are discovering the appeal of this unexpected hue in both vintage and contemporary styles. Iconic brands such as A. Lange & Söhne, Audemars Piguet and Montblanc, to name just a few, have taken notice and released limited quantities of pink watches. Moreover, the color is complementary to various skin tones and is said to have a calming effect on people. With that in mind, it is easy to see how a beautifully crafted salmon dial works like a balm for the spirit.
Suzy Katz is a New York-based writer
Left: A 1948 Patek Philippe reference 1518 pink-gold perpetual-calendar chronograph watch with moon phases sold at Sotheby’s New York in 2021 for $9.6 million
Above: A contemporary contribution to the salmon-dial market is A. Lange & Söhne’s Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon watch
DESIGN
Mumbai Calling
This fall, the world’s most prominent brands—and exciting emerging designers—are set to converge in India’s largest city for the inaugural Design Mumbai fair
Mumbai is home to some of the best furniture, lighting and decor brands in India, and this year the city welcomes its first major design fair, cementing its place as the country’s design capital. The four-day Design Mumbai, taking place November 6-9, hosts more than 150 local and global brands. The show, as touted by co-founders Piyush Suri, Ian Rudge and Michael Dynan, will reflect India’s growing prominence on the global design map. “More design schools are training skilled professionals, and
collaborations between Indian and international firms are bringing forth new ideas, making Mumbai a vibrant and dynamic design destination,” says Suri.
Some of the most sought-after international names in design will be present at the fair—including Zaha Hadid Design, Louis Poulsen and Poltrona Frau—but there will also be many Indian designers and studios. Here’s a spotlight on three local talents at Design Mumbai that are changing the landscape of design in the country.
Morii
Indian crafts are at the forefront of this Gandhinagar-based fabrics studio: its handembroidered textiles highlight traditional techniques expressed in contemporary designs. Made using locally sourced raw materials, the fabrics are carefully transformed into stunning wall art for the home. The studio works with embroidery communities in villages around the country. “We collaborate with craftspeople and have been training them to produce their best work,” says Morii founder Brinda Dudhat. The resultant intricate, sustainable textiles depict abstract, organic patterns in a range of gentle and bold hues.
Two of Morii’s handembroidered abstract wall art pieces
Photos: Umang Shah; Hansraj Dochaniya; The Wicker Story.
Objectry
Simple objects can be timeless and appealing—this is the philosophy of Objectry, a Delhi-based studio founded by designer Aanchal Goel. Its products, from chairs and tables to clocks and lamps, attempt to bring elegance to everyday things. Although each piece is handmade—using materials such as wood, ceramic and cane—there is no roughness or irregularity: all products
display clean lines and crisp edges. “Our design ethos is a harmonious blend of contradictions and nostalgia, deeply rooted in the richness of Indian heritage,” says Goel. “Our journey began with a love for materials and a drive for exploration, resulting in products that bring a unique aesthetic into homes. When people visit our studio, we want them to experience discovery and joy.”
The Wicker Story
Started by Priyanka Narula, the principal partner at Hyderabad-based architecture and design practice Prelab, The Wicker Story harnesses sustainable materials to create highconcept wicker designs, produced using digital processes. The first piece launched was Imli Bench, a cocoon-like form made with rattan. Over time, Narula has continued to explore the versatility of rattan—a lightweight and flexible material that can be manipulated into many forms—and wicker as a weaving tool, to create furniture and decorative sculpture in complex, curved forms. By merging craft and parametric design, the studio balances the creativity of the past with the possibilities of the future. Aditi Sharma is an editor specializing in design, art and architecture
Ball Tripod Chairs, crafted in solid wood, designed by Objectry
Right: Priyanka Narula, founder of The Wicker Story, with her studio’s fluid rattan lamp
CULTURE
North Star
A spectacular new home for Nordic modernist art
In 2015 the investor Nicolai Tangen decided to donate his extensive art collection to his hometown of Kristiansand in southern Norway, so it could be showcased in a public gallery. Consisting of more than 5,000 works, it is the largest collection of Nordic modernism in the world and includes works by the Danish painter Franciska Clausen and Swedish artist Otto Gustaf Carlsund.
To house the collection Tangen selected a derelict grain silo on the island of Odderøya, to the south of Kristiansand’s historic center. With financing from the city council and Tangen’s AKO Art Foundation, the 1930s
concrete structure was transformed into a new art museum: Kunstsilo.
The building is an early example of functionalist architecture in Norway and provides a fitting backdrop for works in the Tangen Collection, whose experiments with form and expression echo the distinctive architecture. The building’s transformation was overseen by architects Mestres Wåge Arquitectes, BAX and Mendoza Partida, who created a triple-height foyer in the cathedrallike central hall, with views up to the top of the grain silos. Exhibition spaces are arranged around the central area across three floors.
Kunstsilo, a new art museum in Kristiansand, Norway
On permanent display is Marianne Heske’s “Gjerdeløa”, 1980, one of the Norwegian artist’s best-known conceptual works. Heske dismantled, moved and reconstructed a 350-year-old wooden cabin from her home village for an exhibition at the Centre Pompidou in Paris. Other notable names in the collection include the Swedish artist Gösta Adrian-Nilsson, whose 1915 painting “The white and the blue sailor” exemplifies his early connection with German avant-garde circles, as well as the Danish situationist Asger Jorn.
Else-Brit Kroneberg, Kunstsilo’s head of collections, explains there is a strong focus on non-figurative and abstract art in the Tangen Collection’s works from the 1950s and 1960s, while the art from the following decades often contains more overtly political messages, such as critiques of the Vietnam War. “They were protesting, they were expressing themselves in new ways, and they didn’t paint as others painted,” says Reidar
Fuglestad, the chief executive of Kunstsilo. Kroneberg believes the pan-Nordic scope of the collection is rare and because it includes works from several decades of the artists’ careers, it shows how they evolved.
“The Tangen Collection is deep rather than wide,” she says. “And thus enables new interpretations rather than reinforcing notions. It provides an opportunity to show how diverse and varied modern art is.”
Alongside the Tangen Collection, Kunstsilo also houses the Christianssands Picture Gallery collection, established in 1902, which contains works by Norwegian painters Edvard Munch and Christian Krohg, as well as the regional and contemporary craft-focused Sørlandet Art Collection. Together, says Fuglestad, these varied holdings can “tell a regional history” of the Nordic countries through art.
MZ Adnan is a writer based in London. His work has appeared in The New Yorker, Wallpaper* and Plaster
More than 5,000 Nordic modernist works from the collection of Nicolai Tangen form the museum’s collection
Franciska Clausen, “Contrastes des formes”, 1927
STATEMENT MAKING a
What’s underfoot needn’t be square, says Helen Parton, as rug design gets bright and bold
Iwas inspired by what was outside: the grasses, the clouds, the steel color of the skies,” begins photographer Douglas Friedman, describing the view from his desert retreat in Marfa, Texas, which formed the basis of his Atlas collection of rugs for design studio Kyle Bunting.
The collection plays with the idea of circles and rectangles in its striking patterns. The colorways, influenced by the desert landscape, range from creams and burnt oranges to green, black and dark blue.
With the collection, Friedman joins a burgeoning raft of artistic visionaries expressing themselves through the canvas of rug design. Far from blending in underfoot, these rugs form bold artistic statements using graphic motifs and dramatic color palettes.
The interior of the Friedman Ranch is a riot of color and texture—enhanced by the Atlas collection of rugs found throughout— forming a perfect contrast to the minimalist glass box-like architecture. “They really help to delineate the space, creating these ‘islands’ from the kitchen to the living room and the library,” Friedman explains.
“Rugs help designers build the aesthetic of a room from the ground up,” says Kyle Bunting, a former TV executive turned purveyor of patchwork cowhide designs. After he and Friedman became acquainted over cocktails in New York, Bunting—whose studio is based in Austin—visited the photographer’s Marfa retreat, sealing the deal for the collaboration.
Thousands of miles away on a quiet north London street, Sonya Winner runs her eponymous design studio. Having worked as a graphic designer and photographer, it was during the recuperation from a serious accident in 2007 that the potential of rugs became apparent for her. “Rugs have a massive effect on a room,” she says. “When you open the door to my home, the first thing you see is this statement of yellows, crimsons, reds, purples; lots of clashing colors.”
Her Sonia and Sonya rug collection perfectly embodies her design ethos, which in this instance took its cues from the colorful artwork by French artist Sonia Delaunay, co-founder of the early20th-century orphism movement. Winner’s pieces feature circular motifs in bright hues of pink, blue, green and orange, giving a sense of movement and mischief to an interior.
“ RUGS HELP BUILD THE AESTHETIC OF A ROOM FROM THE GROUND UP ”
Working with artisans in India and Nepal also shaped Winner’s creative thinking. “They can cut rugs into any shape you want, using any color: some of my designs have more than 80 colors,” she says. “I’ve learned how to request a certain twist of yarn, so that it reflects the light in the way I want, even experimenting with tufting or knotting. I feel as if this is a crossover between art and design.”
CC-Tapis, an Italian design company producing handmade rugs, has been working with artists and designers for more than 20 years. Among its notable collaborators is Spanish architect and designer Patricia Urquiola; one of her many collections for the company, Venus Power, is characterized by cartoon cloud-like shapes with thick border lines, in color combinations of blue, pink and green.
British designer Bethan Laura Wood’s Super Fake collection, meanwhile, is inspired by the collision of the man-made with nature—in this case, rock forms that have built up with sediment. The results are dramatic patchworks of slices of orange, lilac and blue, fashioned into eclectic silhouettes. Both these collections, much like Winner’s irregular-shaped work, radically redefine the idea that a rug should be a simple oval, square or rectangle in form.
Harlequin, a series of rugs by textile designer Kangan Arora for London-based company Floor Story, is dominated by a bold repeated diamond check pattern. “The starting point was an obsession with the geometric Indian cosmic yantras (astrological diagrams), the ‘Ichimatsu’ check pattern I learnt about during my travels in Japan, and the eye-catching graphics of modernist op art,” she says. “The color application is where things get interesting, with the ‘regular’ pattern deconstructed and reassembled.”
Previous page: Campbell Rey’s rug series for Nordic Knots, at Copenhagen’s Thorvaldsens Museum
This page: Douglas Friedman’s desert-inspired Atlas collection (left and above left) designed for Kyle Bunting; Super Rock Moon (above right) by Bethan Laura Wood for CC-Tapis
Designer Patricia Urquiola with one of her Venus Power rugs for CC-Tapis
Right: Indian and Japanese traditions inspired the bold, colorful check pattern in Kangan Arora’s Harlequin rug for Floor Story
“ THEY SIT AT THE INTERSECTION BETWEEN ART, CRAFTSMANSHIP, MATERIALITY AND COLOR ”
Another Floor Story creator, the artist and designer Adam Nathaniel Furman, is known for their passionate embrace of color and pattern. A recent creation, Meandros, was inspired by summer holidays in the Mediterranean and “that sense of freedom, lightness and joy that was connected with ancient beauty and ruins,” says Furman. Meandros harnesses the geometry of the Greek key pattern, elevated to achieve more drama through a 3D-like effect.
Garden Maze, a design from studio Campbell-Rey for Swedish textile firm Nordic Knots, also features a gridlike pattern creating a three-dimensional play on perspective; an optical illusion in bold blue or green. It is one of three designs that the studio, run by Duncan Campbell and Charlotte Rey, has created for the company, taking cues from Nordic neoclassicism and expressing these in jewel-like colors. Folding Ribbon features an eye-catching zigzag motif in orange on a rich ruby red background, while Climbing Vine is defined by a border of stylized, spiky foliage. “Rugs offer everything you can possibly want in an artistic scheme—they sit at the intersection between art, craftsmanship, materiality and color,” says Campbell.
Rugs are increasingly not just reserved for floors, making a statement elsewhere in the home, too—displayed on walls or even used as headboards. “Some of our clients have started asking for a vertical solution,” says Bunting. “You might approach a rug from different angles, passing by or looking straight at it; it’s a completely different dynamic.” Winner also points to the positives of rugs as wall hangings: “They are really good for soaking up sound, something you don’t get with a piece of art. Rugs also have that beautiful tactile quality to them.”
Freed from the constraints of neutral colorways or regular shapes, contemporary designers have let their creative energies flow with the modern rug. Whether laid on the floor or hung on the wall, rugs are now artworks in their own right, bringing a sense of intrigue and fun to the home—perhaps in unexpected ways. 0 Helen Parton is a design journalist
AN EYE for detail
Material innovation, quality craftsmanship and pops of color are at the heart of New York architect Michael K. Chen’s interiors, says Alex Bozikovic
Michael K. Chen designs in full color. The New York architect’s houses and flats are splashed with grapefruit-hued plaster walls, avocado kitchens and cerulean ceilings. For Chen and his practice, Michael K. Chen Architecture (MKCA), color—as well as texture and the marks of handcraft— are parts of life, and therefore they belong in a home.
“We are lovers of color, and we are unapologetic about it,” Chen says. “In many cases, our clients know this about us, and they seek it out.”
Two impulses are central to the work of MKCA: a visual sensibility that departs from less-is-more asceticism in favor of variety and heterogeneity, and a genuine engagement with the fine details of domestic life. The interdisciplinary practice specializes in homes, ranging from Manhattan interior remodels to newly built houses on rural sites.
In one recent Manhattan apartment, dubbed Nomad Loft after its neighborhood, MKCA transformed a 200-square-meter zone of old industrial space for a couple with a taste for technicolor. A curving, limewashed partition in grapefruit orange frames the entry door and a coat closet; towards the center of the building, hunter-green linoleum and a heavily marbled onyx slab bring gravity to the kitchen.
In Clinton Hill, a remodel of a rundown 1895 house in Brooklyn, Chen’s team drew inspiration from the vivid colors they found on its crumbling plaster. The finished product is characterized by monochromatic blocks: a terracotta pink in the living room, a pale blue stair, and a pantry in oxblood red. On the parlor floor, 2,800 tiles in 17 custom colors transition from black, white and blue to green and pink in the kitchen.
Specifying custom tiles is not unusual for MKCA. North American designers often make a clear distinction between architecture and interiors; for Chen, that line is non-existent. “We are very focused on craft,” he says. “We think hard about detail, about processes of making, and we look for novelty and innovation.”
This often involves collaboration with other designers. In its Carnegie Hill Apartment, MKCA reinvents a labyrinth of a grand apartment for a family of five. Some of its most striking features are designed by other hands. MKCA engaged the sculptor Christopher Kurtz to create a four-meter-long dining table; its
Previous page: Architect and MKCA founder Michael K. Chen
Below: Chen’s colorful redesign of a brownstone in Clinton Hill
Right: An impressive slab of marbled onyx in the kitchen of Nomad Loft
“ WE ARE LOVERS OF COLOR, AND WE ARE UNAPOLOGETIC ABOUT IT
undulating surface of carved aluminum rests on a similarly formed base of cherrywood. “The clients eat at that dining table every night,” says Chen, “but they also entertain formally, so the table can expand to seat 14 people.”
A custom chandelier by Brooklyn’s Ladies & Gentlemen Studio hangs from the ceiling, curving metal plates dangling like an Alexander Calder sculpture. Thanks to custom hardware by the architects, the light can swing toward the center of the room, addressing a larger group at the table. “There’s a beautiful choreography in that room,” Chen says. “It’s not just about the architecture. There are so many other voices and authors in the room, all working together.”
The apartment’s central corridor reveals Chen’s commitment to craft. A steady rhythm of cerused white-oak panels marches along the corridor with classical pomp. This conceals mechanical systems and hidden doors, but is also decorative. The terrazzo floors, meanwhile, are inset with thin curving brass spacers that follow routes of travel and the swing of doors, transforming these patterns of everyday life into an evocative lattice of curving lines. Even the floor of a corridor can be a design project and a venue for beauty.
Elsewhere in the home, the principal bathroom features another Chen signature: highly figured natural stone, used sparingly. The pink Byzantine onyx of the custom vanity is marbled with veins of gray granite. It is used as a feature rather than all over, a recognition by the architects that natural stone often comes with a long trail of environmental impacts.
“ IF OWNERS ARE BUILDING A HOME, THEY WANT THAT HOME TO REFLECT THEIR VALUES ”
On a nearly complete new project, a country home north of New York called Watershed House, MKCA has engaged with a local family-run quarry to deliver green serpentine marble for the interior and the facade. This colorful stone, a 1980s favorite, has fallen out of fashion. Chen wishes to bring it back, and in so doing spur a local business that can deliver stone from a few miles away rather than from further afield, avoiding the extensive carbon cost that international transportation entails.
Likewise, Chen’s design practice is working with a local hardwood species, black locust, which is rarely used in architectural applications. It is very stable and solid, making it an ideal material to use in interiors, but since the tree is an invasive in the New York region, it is being cut down and its wood sometimes discarded. Chen sees great value in transforming this cast-off local material into an ingredient of a beautiful home.
Not every designer cares as deeply about the material supply chain as they do about the right choice of light fixture. Chen does, and he says this ethos is shared by his studio. “We think about the technical dimension of architecture and the intricacies of an interior simultaneously,” he says. “The same hands and the same minds are doing all this work.”
To Chen’s mind, a home should respect the priorities of the people who live there, not only in an aesthetic sense but in an ethical one. The Watershed House’s clients care about the environmental impact of their home, Chen says, and this opens the door to a mindful architecture, a strong conversation, and ultimately a more meaningful place. “If they’re building a home, they want that home to reflect their values,” Chen says. “And that is something that we care deeply about as well.” 0
Alex Bozikovic is a Toronto-based architecture critic
Left: The powder room in the Carnegie Hill apartment is fitted with a Cassiopeia marble vanity
Below: White-oak panels and a terrazzo floor with inlaid brass details, in Carnegie Hill’s entrance hall
LIVING ON the edge
From industrial port to livable cultural center, Toronto’s Harbourfront has seen a stunning transformation. The changes keep coming, says Lev Bratishenko
Ahundred years ago, Toronto’s Harbourfront was a bustling and dirty port full of noise and industrial activity. Ships hauling cargo frequented a landscape of huge wooden wharves and smokestack chimneys overlooking Lake Ontario.
Although Toronto surpassed Montreal as Canada’s leading city in the 1970s, its industrial decline meant this waterfront district needed new purpose, starting an ambitious process of transformation into an area for recreation and culture. A renovated quay opened as the Harbourfront Centre in 1982, which remains a leading venue for festivals, performances, film screenings and exhibitions to this day.
Over the years, several waves of investment have reshaped the area from a barren landscape to a pleasant, green and magnetic destination, helping the lake to become a much bigger part of Toronto’s daily life. More than 100 acres of parkland and public spaces lining the water are being created—by Waterfront Toronto, a public-private partnership established in 2001—and around 20 mixed-use developments are currently planned or proposed in the area, in the latest chapter for Canada’s most dynamic real estate market. The metamorphosis includes a batch of skyscrapers that will redefine the skyline—literally changing the face of the city.
Many leading designers have already contributed to turning Harbourfront into a leafy leisure and lifestyle destination. Landscape
designer Julie Moir Messervy collaborated with world-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma to create the verdant Toronto Music Garden. Dutch landscape architecture firm West 8 reconnected the chopped-up waterfront wharves, adding charming promenades and parks, rippling timber decks, graceful boardwalks and petite piers for pleasure boats. Parallel to this restored waterfront is a world-class civic corridor that, on sunny days, zips with cyclists and pedestrians. West 8 designed the generous 18 kilometer-long Water’s Edge Promenade, a granite walkway planted with native maple trees, and a wooden boardwalk cantilevered over the water which is flanked by two parks. To the west, it leads to Ontario Place—a 1980s architectural archipelago used as entertainment and event venues—and the long public beaches beyond it. To the east, it leads
Previous page: Where vertiginous skyscrapers meet still water: Toronto’s waterfront
This page, clockwise from top left: A playful timber deck designed by West 8; The design of the Toronto Music Garden is inspired by “The First Suite for Unaccompanied Cello” by Johann Sebastian Bach; the waterfront in 1945
“
to Sugar Beach. Named after the adjacent Redpath Sugar Refinery, this is one of several parks designed by Montreal-based Claude Cormier + Associés (CCxA). The two-acre site was transformed from a parking lot into a sandy urban beach and features pink sun umbrellas, always in high demand on a hot day, and raised vantage spots to watch what’s happening on the lake.
A MUCH
THE LAKE IS
BIGGER PART OF TORONTO’S DAILY LIFE
Elsewhere along the central waterfront, the firm also designed HtO urban beach, decorated with grassy hills and a sandy beach extending along the water’s edge. The park is dotted with yellow umbrellas and playful editions of the iconic “Muskoka” chairs—outdoor wooden lounge chairs you’ll find at any Canadian cottage. More recently, the firm opened Love Park, where an off-ramp of the nearby expressway once stood. This ambitious vision of taking obsolete infrastructure, redesigning it and opening up its full potential echoes the spirit found all over the neighborhood. Bringing positivity right after the pandemic, Love Park centers on a whimsical heart-shaped pond that’s ringed by mosaics and studded by bronze animal sculptures including, naturally, a beaver.
In the summers, the whole city flocks to the cool lakefront breezes, and this series of outdoor spaces hosts family picnics and gatherings, night markets, as well as the literary, film and performance festivals that Toronto is celebrated for—including the Toronto Waterfront Festival and its fleet of tall ships.
One of the cornerstones of the waterfront’s cultural activity is The Power Plant, originally a 1920s coal-burning powerhouse that reopened in 1987 as a public gallery dedicated to contemporary art. It has presented more than 100 exhibitions since, including a program of commissions of new work by leading artists, and hosts Toronto’s annual arts gala, the Power Ball. The Power Plant is also at the heart of this year’s Toronto Biennial of Art (September 21December 1), a celebration of contemporary art that takes over the city. Entitled “Precarious Joys”, this edition of the biennial features acclaimed artists Sonia Boyce and Cecilia Vicuña, alongside rising names such as Dineo Seshee Bopape, whose work will be shown in a solo show at The Power Plant.
But it’s not just parks and culture: the central waterfront is also becoming a fine dining destination. A particular highlight is Don Alfonso 1890, which found a new home in 2022 on top of the 38-story Westin Harbour Castle hotel. Celebrated as one of the best Italian restaurants in the world outside of Italy,
Claude Cormier + Associés (CCxA)
it is the only North American restaurant by three-time Michelin-starred chef Alfonso Iaccarino, one of the originators of the farm-totable movement. Decorated in pale, muted tones, the restaurant design centers on the panoramic views of the city and lake through floor-toceiling windows. Attention is also consumed by the exquisitely prepared food, which ranges from interpretations of classics like Muscovy duck and roasted red snapper to edgy concoctions such as savory eel gelato and sturgeon caviar on wild rose-scented tagliatelle.
New restaurants such as these—as well as homes and cultural spaces—will continue to emerge along Harbourfront. The next focus of development is an area called Quayside, with a vision for a sustainable and mixed-use neighborhood emerging just past Sugar Beach. It will turn a pocket of low-rise offices, parking lots and industrial remnants into a livable district with diverse amenities. There are set to be more than 4,000 new apartments, with a two-acre “community forest” running through the complex, alongside a multi-use arts venue.
Quayside’s architectural highlights will include The Western Curve, designed by Canadian-British architect Alison Brooks as a 70-story, 894-unit swoop of cylindrical forms, and Timber House, a gridded tree-house slab by Adjaye Associates with Toronto practice Architects—Alliance. It will be one of Canada’s largest mass timber buildings—a design innovation that promises to meet sustainability goals by using wood for a building’s main structure, drastically cutting its carbon footprint. Timber House will also feature more than a square kilometer of rooftop urban farms for residents, linked by a suspended pedestrian bridge. Then there’s the 64-story Overstory, a bronzed residential cake slab (with a twist) by Danish firm Henning Larsen Architects.
Quayside will be fully electrically powered, built with sustainability and extreme weather resilience as first principles, and feature a Community Care Hub promoting physical and mental wellbeing for residents, including daycare, seniors’ services and medical services. The area is abuzz with plans for more developments, including a new rapid transit line which, once built, will make this newest part of Harbourfront an even more appealing place to live. 0 Lev Bratishenko is a Canada-based writer
Right: The Power Plant contemporary art gallery hosts part of this year’s Toronto Biennial of Art
Below right: Farm-to-table cuisine at Don Alfonso 1890
Sky-High Lifestyle
Leading international architecture firm KPF designed the Ritz-Carlton Toronto as a soaring, glazed skyscraper in the heart of the city’s entertainment district, adjacent to the iconic CN Tower and overlooking both Harbourfront and the peaceful Lake Ontario beyond. The residences occupy the upper 30 floors of the 53-story tower, above the five-star hotel below. This 6,000 square-foot condominium comprises three luxurious bedrooms, five bathrooms, an office, 1,000-bottle wine cellar, generous open-plan living and entertaining spaces, and 180-degree panoramic views of the city and lake through floor-to-ceiling windows.
The cool, calm interior has been fitted with the highest quality design finishes, including millwork from acclaimed Italian brand Poliform. Residents have access to top-notch amenities including a fitness center, indoor pool, screening room, outdoor terrace and an exclusive spa—as well as the sumptuous restaurants and bars of the hotel.
$17,153,285
Property ID: KCEVFV sothebysrealty.com
Sotheby’s International Realty Canada Andy Taylor +1 416 994 2118
A bit of ROUGE
The “unexpected red ” trend—a burst of the color in an otherwise neutral space—is coming to an interior near you , says Paula Mejía
When the Brooklyn-based interior designer Taylor Migliazzo Simon takes on a new project, her first step often involves turning to Pinterest to stoke visual inspiration. Recently she was scrolling through the image-sharing social media service, trawling for ideas that might work for her clients. While absent-mindedly saving images, she eventually realized an unusual pattern that kept turning up again and again in her findings.
Migliazzo Simon, who admittedly favors textured tones and neutrals over typically bright colors, started noticing that many of these tasteful rooms that had caught her eye featured a single touch of red within them—anything from the subtle burgundy shade of a throw blanket, to a cherry-red picture frame or a scarlet-toned accent wall. To her, the inclusion of that single color made the space come together in an idiosyncratic way, even if the particular aesthetic varied wildly from, say, Brutalism to maximalism. “All of these rooms have that pop of red that looks really good and really intentional,” she remembers thinking.
After she noticed the trend on Pinterest, she began seeing it everywhere in her daily life. A stranger’s maroon-tinged socks peeking out under their pants on the subway. A pair of red shoes clomping down the sidewalk. A hint of shimmering red lipstick, a noticeable shock on an otherwise neutral outfit.
From these observations Migliazzo Simon developed her “unexpected red theory,” which she documented in a subsequently viral TikTok video. In it, she defines the theory as “basically adding anything that’s red, big or small, to a room where it doesn’t match at all and it automatically looks better.”
As an example, Migliazzo Simon showed an image of a modern take on a 1980s-era bathroom—with gold faucets and blue-green marbled tones— with red sinks lending a chic albeit unconventional feel to the washroom. “I feel that if you’re including that unexpected red in your wardrobe or your home, it’s a choice,” Migliazzo Simon says. “Almost tongue in cheek.”
Throughout history, red has been regarded as a maximalist hue signaling at once emotive passion and danger in the natural world. Studies have even
Left: In this home designed by Vellum Studio, an abstract red painting by Marisa Purcell counterbalances the neutral interior
“ THE INCLUSION OF THAT SINGLE COLOR MAKES THE SPACE COME TOGETHER IN AN IDIOSYNCRATIC WAY ”
shown that the color red is a potent marker of guiding attention within humans, even capable of impacting motor abilities. So it’s fitting that red similarly draws the eye in a design context.
The unexpected red theory is particularly well-suited to interiors, where countless design accents can enliven a space. But it doesn’t have to be solely relegated to interior design. A chunky, 18-karat yellow gold ring engraved with red insignias, for instance, or the striking coral of a stella-dial Rolex Day-Date watch can elevate a look to give it an irreverent and stylish feel.
The most important tip Migliazzo Simon can offer when applying the unexpected red theory—for styling artworks, thinking of accent design elements and within personal wardrobe choices alike—involves going into it with the right attitude. By including a potentially polarizing color like red, “you’re clearly making that decision and you’re making a bold choice to stand out,” she says. “That applies with interiors as well. You can’t be shy if you’re going to add a bold color like that, especially.”
The use of red within design circles can be contentious, of course, as it’s hardly a neutral tone. Migliazzo Simon says that clients of hers in the past have been skeptical about taking the step of using a bold red in their homes. Yet this design choice can often be surprising and result in intentional-looking spaces and sartorial proclivities alike. “If you’re choosing to do a red lampshade that would normally be beige, or if you’re doing a red rug that would normally be tan,” she says as an example, “it shows that you’re confident in what you’re wearing and what you decorate your home with.” 0
Paula Mejía is a writer based in Los Angeles
Below: A two-tone lacquer side table in red and off-white by London-based Studio Atkinson
Right: A statement doubleheight red door at the Carbon Beach House in Malibu, designed by Olson Kundig
Photos: Nicole Franzen; Felix Speller; Joe Fletcher.
SURREAL CITY
In the 1940s, creatives fleeing Europe found a home in Mexico’s capital, comingling with local artists to produce some of the most enchanting surrealist art, says Christopher Alessandrini
What conditions made Mexico City such fertile ground for the surrealists? In 1936, while planning a visit, French writer and surrealism co-founder André Breton asked the Guatemalan writer and diplomat Luis Cardoza y Aragón for an introduction to the city’s dynamic cultural scene. Aragón’s famous reply painted the metropolis in an appealingly mystical light: “We live in a land of convulsive beauty, the land of edible delusions,” he wrote. “A place for the mutable, the disturbing… in short, a land of dream, unavoidable by the surrealist spirit.”
Soon after, Breton moved there with his wife, the painter Jacqueline Lamba, and surrealism found its second home. The City of Palaces would soon play host to a cast of European expatriates who fled fascism to live among a vital community of Mexican artists and intellectuals.
“Mexico City in the 1940s was a fascinating nexus of different artistic currents, home to some of the most exciting avant-garde movements in the world at that moment,” says Emily Nice, a specialist in Latin American art at Sotheby’s. “In this decade, which scholars of Western art tend to think of as a dark period, Mexico City is a thriving hotbed of creativity as an old guard of established artists, the Muralists, mix with younger painters like Rufino Tamayo and Frida Kahlo, the influx of surrealists from Europe and American artists like Robert Motherwell and Edward Weston.” Against this backdrop of cultural syncretism and experimentation, many artists were inspired to channel new modes of creative expression.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of Breton’s “Surrealist Manifesto,” 1924, which argued that once the strictures of bourgeois reason and etiquette were overthrown, the human imagination might finally defeat the drab tyranny of reality. After the unprecedented horrors of the First World War, widespread faith in the power of rationality was shaken. Artists and writers in the surrealist circle wanted to push beyond the veil of everyday affairs and probe the mysterious workings of the unconscious mind. Dreams and games quickly became hallmarks of surrealist art-making, from collaboratively authored works known as “exquisite corpses” to found objects, collages, assemblages and experiments in psychic automatism.
In Aragón’s “land of dream,” romantic couples often served as anchors of the bohemian scene. Their private psychodramas played out in studios and
Previous page: “Portrait of Frida Kahlo,” taken of the pioneering Mexican artist by surrealist photographer Dora Maar in 1949 Above: Leonora Carrington, “The Kitchen Garden on the Eyot,” 1946, from the the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
over meals, heavily influencing the movement’s prolific output. Divorce and remarriage were common; new romances were kindled at dinner parties amid the constant shuffle of personalities. Breton and Lamba were soon joined in the city by the Austrian artist and philosopher Wolfgang Paalen and the French poet and artist Alice Rahon. The most legendarily tumultuous union, however, was between the Mexican artists Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. When the pair first met, Rivera was one of the nation’s most celebrated painters, working on a major mural commission at the National Preparatory School in Mexico City, where Kahlo, aged 15, was enrolled.
Women, in Breton’s circle, were often extolled as—and reduced to—embodiments of pure feminine instinct. Frequently cast as handmaidens of genius or as muses, they were prized for their strength of feeling and special connection to the natural world. If their creativity was acknowledged, it was considered a naive, undisciplined brilliance—raw material awaiting its final refinement into high art. Such mythologizing of women as conduits of surrealist thought undercut the intellectual rigor of their artistic contributions. They were often treated as translators of preexisting ideals and rarely received credit as innovators in their own right.
In Mexico City, relationships between women were fundamental to the cultural milieu. One of the key figures was Inés Amor, director of the Galería de Arte Mexicano (GAM), the city’s most influential and commercially successful art gallery. Under Amor’s visionary leadership, GAM’s program included artists such as Kahlo, Rahon, Olga Costa, Leonora Carrington and Remedios Varo. Amor offered more than a platform to sell their work locally and globally; she was committed to providing the resources necessary for her artists to develop their skills and interests. Friendships among artists also proved fruitful. Some of the most intimate and candid photographic portraits of Kahlo were taken by Lola Álvarez Bravo, and Kahlo developed a close friendship with Lamba based on their shared intellectual and artistic interests. Like Kahlo, Lamba was young when she met her future husband; she was 23 years old and “scandalously beautiful” when she married Breton, who later wrote in “Mad Love,” 1937, that he knew immediately their fates would be “entwined.” Lamba was an artist, although she did not begin to exhibit her work seriously until after her separation from Breton. She suspected, not incorrectly, that her marriage would overshadow any abiding interest in her art. Breton was also fascinated by Kahlo and
considered her art visionary. His admiration, however, was unrequited; Kahlo found him pretentious and “rotten,” and never fully embraced the label surrealist to describe her art.
Kahlo had a supportive, if unfaithful, partner in Rivera, who considered her his artistic equal. In the years leading up to and following the couple’s brief divorce in 1939, Kahlo experienced one of the most intensely productive periods of her entire career. She plumbed her own life for inspiration, from a bout of childhood polio to the life-altering bus accident in adolescence, producing intimate self-portraits and domestic scenes. These were translated through a refined sensibility that combined a highly personal language of objects with a vibrant quotational style that pulled omnivorously from art history, making allusions to Mexican folk painting, scientific drawings, photography and the Old Masters. Some of these works are among Kahlo’s most renowned, including the monumental “Las Dos Fridas” (The Two Fridas), 1939, in the permanent collection at Museo de Arte Moderno in Mexico City.
In Mexico’s capital, many European women seized a level of artistic freedom unavailable at home; no longer expected to play wife or muse, they could focus on their own work. The English artist and writer Leonora Carrington had already defied the restrictive gender roles of her upper-class Roman Catholic upbringing when she decided to pursue art. “I didn’t have time to be anyone’s muse,” she said. “I was too busy rebelling against my family and learning to be an artist.” Following a transformative and turbulent affair with the older German artist Max Ernst, Carrington fled to Spain, where she was institutionalized. Eventually she wed and moved to New York before settling in Mexico City, where she lived on and off for the rest of her life.
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There, Carrington discovered a strong desire to experiment with new media, including egg tempera, which led to a profusion of richly realized tableaux that married her feverishly mythological iconography with greater technical mastery. Some of her most iconic paintings date to this period, including her magnum opus “Les Distractions de Dagobert,” 1945: a garden of earthly delights in the Boschian tradition that includes many of Carrington’s leitmotifs across meticulously rendered vignettes illustrating the decadent life of Dagobert I, the storied seventh-century Frankish king of the Merovingian dynasty.
One of Carrington’s closest associates was the Spanish artist Remedios Varo. Like Carrington, Varo was a rebellious child; her engineer father taught her draftsmanship and encouraged her artistic talents, which inspired Varo’s lifelong interest in baroque machinery. In Spain, she was a peripheral participant in the surrealist orbit as the partner of the French poet Benjamin Péret. After the Spanish Civil War, the couple moved to Paris and mingled with the day’s leading artists, including Breton, Ernst and Salvador Dalí. Years later, as France faced the threat of Nazi occupation, she and Péret embarked for Mexico.
It was there that Varo, along with Carrington and the photographer Kati Horna, became known as one of the “three witches” for her obsessive interest
IN MEXICO CITY, EUROPEAN WOMEN SEIZED ARTISTIC FREEDOM ”
Above: The Blue House in Mexico City was once the residence of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, and is now a museum dedicated to Kahlo Right: The studio inside the Blue House where Kahlo once worked
in esoteric knowledge, ranging from Indigenous cosmologies and preEnlightenment alchemy to metaphysics and tarot. This shared pursuit served as a powerful engine for their long-lasting friendships. Throughout the 1940s, while Carrington developed her craft and created some of her most acclaimed and uncanny works, Varo was employed as a commercial illustrator. From 1955 onward, however, Varo’s imagination and technical capabilities blossomed; in the final eight years of her life, she created some of her most sumptuous paintings, many of which featured in the captivating exhibition “Remedios Varo: Science Fictions” at the Art Institute of Chicago in 2023.
Scholarship on surrealism has often sidelined the friendships between women artists, although efforts to provide substantial accounts of these intricate networks have grown increasingly popular. Many women disavowed any direct association with the movement, displeased with its masculinist ethos and dubious idealization of the femme-enfant, or the naive child-woman whose channeling of surrealist values made her an ideal canvas for the projection of male fantasies. The Italian artist Leonor Fini, known for her blistering intelligence and flamboyantly theatrical dreamworlds, refused any official affiliation due to her distaste for Breton’s paternalistic authoritarianism in the surrealist circle; she also spurned the institution of marriage, preferring to remain autonomous in life as in art.
Over the last decade cultural institutions like The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice have mounted landmark exhibitions that convincingly revise and expand the surrealist canon. Increased attention to women artists associated with the movement has also led to several notable additions to public collections, such as the Museum of Modern Art’s recent acquisition of masterpieces like Carrington’s “And Then We Saw the Daughter of the Minotaur,” 1953, and Varo’s “The Juggler (The Magician),” 1956.
One of the most astonishing presentations, however, was a room of works by women artists in Cecelia Alemani’s watershed exhibition “The Milk of Dreams” at the 2022 Venice Biennale, which borrowed its title from a children’s book by Carrington. Displayed in a gallery called La Culla della Strega (“The Witch’s Cradle”) were videos of Josephine Baker and Maya Deren; photographs by Claude Cahun, Gertrud Arndt and Florence Henri; sculptures by Augusta Savage, Meta Vaux Warrick Fuller and Rahon; and a selection of paintings by Carrington, Varo, Fini, Meret Oppenheim, Loïs Mailou Jones and Eileen Agar, among many others. The gallery served as an intoxicating capsule of that moment’s revolutionary energy, reflecting a time when radical forms of artistic expression were born from a geopolitical reality that seemed fractured beyond repair.
Here, at the heart of the Biennale, Alemani orchestrated a moment of communion between women artists, decades after they defied convention to conjure new visions of reality. Gathered in the Giardini’s Central Pavilion, the works harmonized—a sublime testament to their enduring powers of enchantment. 0 Christopher Alessandrini is a writer and editor based in New York, where he works at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
A CERTAIN GLOW
Riya Patel meets three designers playing with art, material and shape to light up your home
When it came to finding exciting and unusual lighting for her own home, the only options for Rowena Morgan-Cox were established design icons or trying her luck with vintage finds. The struggle to source something unique led the British creative to set up Palefire Studio: a London atelier making playful lighting in small batches. The venture brings together her background in fine art, and experience working with galleries and high-end design stores. “I knew I wanted to do something decorative, with a lot of pattern and color, and I wanted to have painted surfaces,” she says.
U/V Collection, Palefire’s debut range of table lamps, wall lights, ceiling and floor lamps are all made from the same material: recycled paper pulp. A family-run workshop outside Barcelona prepares the material by grinding down used paper with water, injecting it into moulds, and drying it. The raw forms, which come in five shapes that are mixed and matched to make up the collection, are sent to London where Palefire’s team hand-paints them with solid color, such as deep vermilion, or a pattern of wavy lines. “The paper pulp has this amazing texture, and the hand-painted color brings an intensity that can make it seem like it’s an entirely different material,” says Morgan-Cox.
Sustainability is important: natural paints low in volatile compounds—and thus better for humans and the environment—are used for the finish, and research is ongoing into other recycled materials for future projects. “We try as much as possible to have thoughtful practices without compromising on the aesthetic,” she says. “We don’t want our lighting to look like it’s recycled. We want it to look exuberant, with those sustainable elements in the background.”
Part of that exuberance comes through the shapes these lamps take, inspired by the elegance of art nouveau or the playfulness of postmodernism and 1970s “space age” design. These are then brought to life by their painterly surfaces, and color palettes that take cues from artists such as postwar painter Helen Frankenthaler. Art will continue to influence Palefire’s future direction, says Morgan-Cox. Grander lighting fixtures with more complicated elements are on the horizon, as well as the exploration of new color collections.
Another designer identifying a gap in the market for art-led lighting is Dubai-based Caroline Coirault-Jonqueres, who observed a lack of options through working on high-end residential interiors. “In architecture, light is fundamental in shaping the experience of a space,” she says. “Yet decorative lighting is often overlooked. Even though it’s functional, it can be artistic, adding real depth and presence to a room.” Inspired by the savoir faire of the craftspeople she had come to know through her work, the designer took the
“
LIGHT CAN ADD REAL DEPTH AND PRESENCE TO A ROOM ”
Previous page: The Curve, a lamp by Caroline CoiraultJonqueres, installed at design gallery The House by M.A.H
This page: Rowena Morgan-Cox (left) designs lighting that draws on artistic techniques and references
step of sketching out her own lamps for them to make. The resulting line of distinctive table lamps typically features linen shades and chunky, angular bases made in marble, natural oak or scorched cedar. They are currently sold through London gallery, The House by M.A.H. Coirault-Jonqueres goes back and forth with the craftspeople via drawings, which are adjusted throughout the making process according to the whims of the material and how the piece is taking shape. “The skills and knowledge required to work a raw material into an object is what really inspires me,” she says. “Materiality, texture, a joint or a stitching detail… these small elements are all very significant to the end result.” She is drawn to earthy tones and materials, inspired by the Japanese wabi-sabi philosophy celebrating nature’s imperfections, and which she interprets as: “Showing that something has been made with intention; bringing an almost spiritual quality to an object.”
Lana Launay, a former jewelry designer who works between Sydney and Los Angeles, has a similar fascination with shape and material when it comes to designing sculptural lighting. Her made-to-order line of lamps is characterized by geometric paper shades and carved wood forms. “I find buyers come to me when they are looking for a handmade piece that isn’t saturated in the market,” says Launay.
Feels Like Home is a floor lamp standing on tall stacks of wooden spheres that recall beaded plant hangers from the 1970s, but Launay says her aesthetic inspiration is actually 20th-century brutalist sculpture and sci-fi set designs. “I admire the ‘what if?’ approach that you find in futuristic design, and I love the raw freedom and expression you see in brutalist sculpture and art,” she explains.
Despite the avant-garde precedent, Launay’s material palette is strictly natural, including timber, raffia and paper stained by hand. “I have always been drawn towards warm tones—I find them calming and romantic,” she says. “I often use paper, including Japanese washi paper, as a textile because I find the glow (that shines through) more consistent, but the fibers are more unique. The blessing and curse of using paper is the fragility. It offers a delicate beauty, but is not as durable.” The handmade lamps look incredibly lightweight—but this is also what makes them playful. For the Modular Launay Lamp, five different forms can be assembled as the user desires by threading them, like origami paper beads, onto a standing LED light source.
With warmth, charm and the imagination to look beyond lighting as just purely functional, these designers urge us to never overlook the humble floor or table lamp. “My designs are like a permanent guest rather than a piece of furniture,” says Launay. “With my work I want to create an illuminated presence that offers a sense of comfort in a room.” 0
Riya Patel is a London-based design writer and curator
Left: A pendant lamp by Lana Launay, made using paper and wooden beads, designed for the Sun Ranch retreat in Byron Bay, Australia
Above: Dubai-based designer Caroline Coirault-Jonqueres crafting her lamp bases
Anselm Kiefer’s “Engelssturz (Fall of the Angel)” was created specifically for the courtyard at Palazzo Strozzi, Florence, as part of his “Fallen Angels” exhibition
PAST meets PRESENT
The invitation for contemporary artists to create site-specific works in historical homes can cast heritage in a new light, says Amah-Rose Abrams
History and how we research and present the past has gone through a significant reckoning in recent decades; historical houses and palaces, symbols of power, have become vehicles for this reflection. As many have engaged public audiences with programs of contemporary art, conversations are sparked by the positioning of new, site-specific work amid these homes and their collections—chiming with the cultural sphere’s self-examinations. Three recent exhibitions of contemporary work show the ways in which traditional residences—whether still private homes or transformed into public museums—commission and present art in dialogue with cultural and social heritage.
Few institutions have been as transformed by a contemporary art program as Florence’s Palazzo Strozzi, a Renaissance palace and seat of the Strozzi family until 1937. Spearheaded by a cultural foundation established for the building in 2006, the program has been credited with making the palace one of Italy’s most popular contemporary art locations, although it once served as a symbol of the Strozzi family’s defiance against the rival power of the Medicis.
This year, the institution opened the exhibition “Fallen Angels” by German artist Anselm Kiefer—an admirer of the palace since first visiting in the 1960s. An exhibition of diverse works was presented alongside a large, specially commissioned painting occupying the central colonnaded courtyard. “We use what we have: our palace, our building… (and) we invite artists to respond to it,” says Arturo Galansino, general director of the Fondazione Palazzo Strozzi and curator of “Fallen Angels”. Galansino believes artists should not treat historic palaces as monuments or vitrines, and instead “be engaged by the past.”
In giving artists agency in how they respond to the setting, the resulting commissions can have surprising outcomes. “No one had ever suggested having a painting in the courtyard before,” says Galansino. Kiefer, he adds, welcomed the idea that the work would be exposed to the elements, transforming over time.
The painting in question, “Engelssturz (Fall of the Angel),” 2022–23, depicts the Archangel Michael in flight against a golden sky, driving rebellious angels out of heaven into a tumultuous ravine below. Expressive of Kiefer’s longstanding interest in myth and history, its narrative theme of ruination nods to the political turmoil and decline that beset the Strozzis in Florence. The work complements the majesty of the courtyard space and recalls ambitiously scaled, gold-leafed Renaissance works of religious art, often commissioned by influential families of the time.
In the English county of Norfolk, Houghton Hall was built in the 1720s for Prime Minister Robert Walpole—and is now lived in by his direct descendent, David Cholmondeley, 7th Marquess of Cholmondeley, and his wife Rose. Since 2000, Cholmondeley has commissioned contemporary art for the grounds, turning it into a sculpture park, and organized installations throughout both the house and the park.
“Our aim is to bring something of our time into a historic setting—whether as a temporary ‘intervention’ (as in an exhibition), or more permanent site-specific works,” he explains.
“ IN GIVING ARTISTS AGENCY IN HOW TO RESPOND, THE RESULTING COMMISSIONS CAN HAVE SURPRISING OUTCOMES ”
“Not in competition or opposition, but in a symbiotic relationship to the house, its landscape and history.”
“When planning any exhibition, it is so important to consider the history of the place,” says the ceramic artist Magdalene Odundo, who was the focus of an exhibition at Houghton this summer. “Houghton Hall has always had all forms of art and artefacts around the house. Understanding the house, the art, the objects, and the family has been crucial. This gave me the perspective to intervene and place my own work with its own story in an interesting juxtaposition.” The exhibition entered into a dialogue with Houghton’s 18th-century state rooms, designed in decorative neoclassical detail by English architect William Kent. The family’s collection throughout the rooms includes paintings by Salvator Rosa, Artemisia Gentileschi, William Hogarth and Thomas Gainsborough, as well as Roman marble busts, 17th-century Mortlake tapestries and Sèvres porcelain. Odundo’s exhibition featured pieces from across her three decades of making, including eight new works conceived for the show, and a large ceramic sculpture produced following a residency at traditional English porcelain manufacturer Wedgwood. The intricately detailed piece—created using historic Wedgwood moulds—responds to Odundo’s research into company founder Josiah Wedgwood and his role in the 18th-century abolitionist movement. Its surface decoration depicts scenes and legacies of slavery as well as contemporary political protest. At Houghton, it prompted connections between Walpole and Wedgwood’s politics and influence (Walpole’s son, Horace, voted for the abolition of the slave trade).
Left: The Stone Hall in the U.K.’s Houghton Hall has hosted a number of contemporary art exhibitions and installations
Above: Ceramic artist Magdalene Odundo, whose residency at porcelain manufacturer Wedgwood resulted in a table centerpiece (top right) for her exhibition at Houghton Hall
The Orangery at the Palace of Versailles, France, exhibited Eva Jospin’s work, including her large-scale embroidery, “Chambre de Soie (A Room of One’s Own),” 2021 (left)
“ THE SCULPTURE RECLAIMS THE FEMALE GAZE IN A MALE-DOMINATED LANDSCAPE ”
The Palace of Versailles in France, an opulent monument to King Louis XIV, has also attracted attention for its contemporary art installations in recent years. This summer, a tapestry by French artist Eva Jospin was unveiled in the 17th-century Orangery, housing a central gallery more than 150m long. “Chambre de Soie (A Room of One’s Own),” 2021, echoed the heady grandeur of the setting, and spoke to the history of fabric at Versailles: Louis was pivotal in the rise of France’s textile industry, banning imports in order to center and expand French craft. During his reign, he commissioned and collected thousands of lavish tapestries for the palace, holding the art in higher regard than painting.
Jospin’s 105m-long embroidery work depicts an abstracted landscape scene in silk, cotton and jute and was initially inspired by the embroidery room of the Palazzo Colonna in Rome, which is decorated with 17th-century gold and silk tapestries. For the installation of her delicate but monumental work at Versailles, Jospin added a new panel, taking inspiration from the groves of the palace’s gardens, particularly Apollo’s Baths Grove.
These are not the only site-specific contemporary works in historic homes this year. In the U.K., Compton Verney in Warwickshire—an 18th-century home transformed into a gallery by the Sir Peter Moores Foundation—recently opened a sculpture park. Alongside works by artists Louise Bourgeois, Sarah Lucas and Larry Achiampong, a sculpture by Brazilian artist Erika Verzutti was commissioned to sit by a lake, in the grounds designed by famed English gardener Lancelot “Capability” Brown. “Naked Venus,” 2024, forms part of Verzutti’s series based on the ancient sculpture of the Venus of Willendorf; positioned at Compton Verney, it aims to reclaim the female gaze in what can be seen as a male-dominated landscape.
By engaging with the complex histories of how some of these institutions came to be, inviting in contemporary artists to create responsive work has allowed a tradition of cultural patronage to continue through the lens of today’s thinking. The exhibitions also bring in new audiences, opening up what have been considered closed or exclusionary environments to a wider public—to the benefit of both. 0
Amah-Rose Abrams is a London-based arts and culture writer
Erika Verzutti’s site-specific work “Naked Venus,” 2024, is a new addition to the permanent collection at the U.K.’s Compton Verney Sculpture Park
EXTRAORDINARY GLOBAL PROPERTIES
One-of-a-kind spaces that really make the kitchen the heart of the home
They say you always find people in the kitchen at parties. With the holidays approaching, it may be time to consider just how party-ready that kitchen is. Is it spacious enough to fit a large gathering, does it have unique amenities, or is it designed thoughtfully enough to impress the most discerning of guests?
These are all feats that have been achieved by this stunning array of properties. From the mountains of Colorado, to the coast of Honolulu, and the canals of Amsterdam, these homes offer show-stopping spaces for cooking, dining and entertaining.
In San Francisco, the Beaux Arts apartment block at 2006 Washington Street—designed in 1924 by Conrad A. Meussdorffer—is one of the most revered buildings in the city. Here, a penthouse with wraparound terraces boasts an intimate but striking west-facing kitchen with a view of the Golden Gate Bridge and the ocean beyond, through French doors that open onto a private balcony. Imbued with Georgian features, painted in a muted shade of blue and featuring a classic marble counter breakfast bar, this space creates a decadent environment for any passionate cook. The opulent apartment has undergone renovations by architect Andrew Skurman and interior designer Suzanne Tucker—who featured the property in her book “Extraordinary Interiors.”
North of the city, in Sonoma County, a rustic estate inspired by countryside retreats in the south of France offers a cottage-style kitchen with limestone-plastered walls and ceilings, and wooden beams and finishings. Previously home to British interior designer Wendy Owen—who referred to it as La Maison de la Pierre (the House of Stone)—the space is replete with eclectic vintage touches, such as a yellow kitchen table and a French stone laundry sink. A wine fridge reflects the property’s prime location in a food and wine haven, which is home to more than 400 vineyards and a variety of slow food farms and restaurants.
Traveling across the Atlantic, a stately 18th-century canal-side home in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, offers a classically decorated open-plan kitchen and dining room, with a tiled patio and green
space through French doors. Historic wooden beams line the room’s full length, and solid wood cabinets are complemented by a marble countertop and brass fixtures. A climate-controlled wine cellar sits just down the hall.
Back in the U.S., a compound in rural Maine provides a private escape for large holiday gatherings and equestrians. Architect Frank Robinson designed the main house as an homage to the organic architecture of the modernist legend Frank Lloyd Wright, incorporating warm wooden paneling, large windows and rich earth tones. The open-plan kitchen and dining space is impressive, with vaulted ceilings and a double-height glazed wall, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding rolling hills and forests.
Properties in Telluride, Colorado and ChamonixMont-Blanc also benefit from incredible views of their surrounding landscapes, bringing true beauty to the experiences of cooking and entertaining.
Set in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado, the Telluride home seemingly floats above the clouds, at almost 9,000 feet above sea level. The retreat’s open-plan kitchen, living and dining space is completed by an impressive stone fireplace, creating a relaxing and cozy atmosphere. Sliding doors open onto a wooden deck with outdoor entertaining space and a firepit with views of snow-capped peaks.
Meanwhile, with a spacious kitchen offering tripleaspect views onto the Alps, holiday parties are sure to impress in the chalet-style Chamonix property, which also benefits from a vegetable garden for growing fresh produce during the warmer months and harvesting just before the festive season.
But for those craving warmth and sunshine, a contemporary home in an exclusive gated community in Honolulu, Hawaii, offers a uniquely designed kitchen that stands out against the island’s natural beauty. Contemporary copper Snaidero cabinets by Italian design company Pininfarina are complemented by tiled floors, glass counters and high-quality appliances—topped by a sweeping view across Oahu island.
San Francisco, California, U.S.
With its grand entertaining rooms, high-quality design and sweeping panoramic views, this 5,700-squarefoot residence at 2006 Washington Street is the crown jewel of Pacific Heights apartments. Its meticulous renovation introduces a Georgian vernacular into a Beaux Arts-style building. Large French doors open
onto wraparound terraces. The chef’s kitchen faces west to capture mesmerizing vistas of the Golden Gate Bridge and seascape beyond. As San Francisco’s leading cooperative, 2006 Washington serves residents with a 24-hour attended lobby, elegantly landscaped gardens and two-car parking garage.
$29,000,000
Property ID: 2KG7W7 sothebysrealty.com Sotheby’s International Realty –
Telluride, Colorado, U.S.
Nestled in one of the most spectacular areas of the Telluride region, this five-bedroom retreat offers breathtaking views from every room. With an open floor plan and floor-toceiling retractable windows in the main living area, one can relax and experience the natural beauty from multiple spaces. In addition to the primary living quarters, a separate guest wing provides two bedrooms and a bunk room with an adjacent game room and bar. Above the three-car garage is a private guest bedroom, with fantastic views of Wilson Peak.
$21,000,000
Property ID: 5PHJBB sothebysrealty.com
LIV Sotheby’s International Realty Lars Carlson +1 970 729 0160
Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Built in 1730, this impressive, monumental canal house—rich in centuries of history— has recently been tastefully and authentically restored by a world-renowned interior designer. The property is perfectly situated in the area of the famous “Nine Streets” and holds the status of a national monument. The property is divided into a front house and a rear house, connected by a beautiful staircase and a central light court. There are six bedrooms, four bathrooms and a range of spaces for relaxation and entertainment, including a bar, a fully equipped gym and a beautifully landscaped garden.
€13,000,000
Property ID: D4PCY8 sothebysrealty.com
Netherlands Sotheby’s International Realty
Sanne van der Zaag +31 88 37 47 000
Sonoma, California, U.S.
Discover an unparalleled blend of elegance and rustic charm at 6015 Grove Street, nestled in the serene west side of Sonoma County. Hand-laid stone walls and terraces seamlessly integrate the home with its natural surroundings in the heart of wine country. A mix of luxurious earthy textures, the interiors feature radiant-heated limestone floors and limestone-plastered walls. Adjacent to the main home, the guest house provides a tranquil accommodation for visitors. Outdoor living is at its finest, with a stone dining room, pavilion and a charming potting shed.
$4,950,000
Property ID: YM5G66 sothebysrealty.com
Golden Gate Sotheby’s International Realty Cristian Isbrandtsen +1 707 294 7879
Freeman Township, Maine, U.S.
Windledge Farm is set on 308 acres of land— including paddocks and walking trails—with staggering views of the protected High Peaks of Maine. The contemporary main house is designed as an homage to Frank Lloyd Wright, showcasing outstanding quality and craftsmanship in an open-plan concept. The home offers a retreat for those that require state-of-the-art amenities and security, yet yearn for the feel of comfort, serenity and privacy. The handsome stable block offers all the amenities needed for the optimum care and comfort of horses, supported by additional living quarters.
$5,200,000
Property ID: LW55TE sothebysrealty.com
Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty
Glenn Jonsson +1 207 776 0036
Marika Clark +1 207 671 6927
Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
This fully renovated residence is a testament to luxury and elegance on Oahu. Located in the most prestigious gated community with 24/7 private security, the property offers breathtaking ocean views. Designed by award-winning architect Jeff Long, the home also features interior finishes that are handcrafted by artisans known for their expertise on superyachts. The kitchen includes Snaidero cabinets designed by Pininfarina, a Ferrari design company, with top-quality appliances from Gaggenau, Sub Zero, and Miele. The property also benefits from a movie theater, infinity-edge pool, elevator, and hurricane shutters.
$19,880,000
Property ID: KQPE8J sothebysrealty.com
List Sotheby’s International Realty Akimi Mallin +1 8083974480
Menaggio, Como, Italy
Overlooking Italy’s iconic Lake Como, Villa Pietralba offers a balanced combination of classic charm and modern comfort, having undergone a meticulous renovation led by a renowned architect in close collaboration with the owners. The main villa, built in 1903 in the Liberty style, has six en-suite bedrooms, alongside living and entertaining spaces. The property also features a threebedroom guest house, a staff house and a private pool complex, including a gym. In warmer seasons, soak in the Italian sun in the extensive gardens that have been beautifully designed and maintained.
Price upon request
Property ID: SK67YS sothebysrealty.com
Italy Sotheby’s International Realty
Diego Antinolo +39 031 538 8888
Nothing Compares.
Explore our exclusive collection of inspiring homes.
East Setauket, NY
Nestled on over 2 acres of tranquil, private grounds with access to Flax Pond Beach Association, “The Tree House” is a testament to meticulous craftsmanship and thoughtful design. Reimagined over 8 years by an award-winning builder, this Craftsman-style residence was inspired after California architects Greene and Greene and built to “Emerald” status for energy efficiency defined by the National Association of Home Builders. Step inside to discover 6 bedrooms and 3 full baths, each space adorned with stunning custom woodwork and cabinetry. The materials, including timber sourced from the property itself, tell a story of sustainability and artistry. Vaulted ceilings and expansive windows throughout create an inviting ambiance, allowing natural light to illuminate every corner. The chef’s kitchen features top-of-the-line appliances, handcrafted details. Entertain effortlessly in the spacious living areas including media room and large great room offering stunning views of the private backyard. Located in the Incorporated Village of Old Field, this property promises a lifestyle of luxury and tranquility. Whether you seek a permanent residence or a vacation getaway, The Tree House is a place where craftsmanship meets comfort, creating a truly exceptional living experience.
MLS# 3565455 | $2,299,000
Holly Brainard
Associate Real Estate Broker
Stony Brook/Port Jefferson Office
c.631.235.3300
hollybrainard@danielgale.com
Michael O’Dwyer
Associate Real Estate Broker
Stony Brook/Port Jefferson Office
c.631.741.4262
michaelodwyer@danielgale.com
Atlantic Beach, NY
Experience coastal elegance in Atlantic Beach NY with this new 7-bedroom, 6-bath home. Enjoy stunning views of Reynolds Channel and Rockaway Inlet, along with a stylish Miami-inspired open-concept design that blends indoor and outdoor living. Conveniently located near JFK Airport and NYC, this premier Atlantic Beach property offers both luxury and accessibility.
MLS# 3565332 | $7,095,000
Gloria Romanowski
Real Estate Salesperson
Rockville Centre Office c.516.884.6379 gloriaromanowski@danielgale.com
Hewlett Bay Park, NY
Introducing an extraordinary waterfront estate in Hewlett, NY—a 12,000 sq. ft. sanctuary on over 2 acres of lush grounds. Crafted by its owner, this home showcases impeccable design and exceptional architecture. With its meticulous craftsmanship, intricate details, and its prime location this waterfront home epitomizes luxury living in Hewlett.
MLS# 3556476 | $8,900,000
Leah Tozer
Associate Real Estate Broker
Long Beach Office
c.516.860.5784 leahtozer@danielgale.com
Andrea Ciminera
Real Estate Salesperson
Long Beach Office
c.203.887.7742 andreaciminera@danielgale.com
Garden City, NY – The Wyndham
Coming home to The Wyndham is a special pleasure. The lifestyle is without compromise and without maintenance. The Wyndham combines the very best of country and city living with a breadth of services, a level of convenience and a quality of life rarely available. Services include 24/7 concierge, doorman and valet parking. Owners also enjoy the use of an indoor pool with a lounging deck, private health club, newly renovated club room with fireplace and catering kitchen. Outdoor spaces provide a patio with gas barbeque, table, chairs, and wet bar, as well as a walking path around a beautiful pond and gardens. The Wyndham is conveniently located close to town, restaurants, shops, hotel, and transportation. Offering 3, 2 and 1 bedroom Condominiums with views of the city and village.
Contact us for your private tour and viewing of available units.
Linda Mulrooney | Real Estate Salesperson c.516.581.2260 | lindamulrooney@danielgale.com
Patricia Dickson | Real Estate Salesperson c.516.280.0976 | patriciadickson@danielgale.com
Lisa Heaney | Real Estate Salesperson c.516.376.3470 | lisaheaney@danielgale.com
Scott Wallace | Real Estate Salesperson c.516.521.4065 | scottwallace@danielgale.com
Marianne Imperial | Real Estate Salesperson c.516.314.9100 | marianneimperial@danielgale.com
Jessica Brantuk | Real Estate Salesperson c.917.658.2966 | jessicabrantuk@danielgale.com
Arthur Anderson | Real Estate Salesperson c.516.319.2459 | arthuranderson@danielgale.com
Glen Head, NY
Laura Algios
Laura, a seasoned, full-time real estate professional with decades of experience in sales and marketing, is highly regarded for her knowledge of the local market, eye for detail, and unwavering dedication to her clients. As a top producer at Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty, Laura leverages her extensive knowledge and passion for real estate to consistently deliver outstanding results.
Nestled mid-block on ½ acre lot in the coveted Glen Head Community of North Shore Acres sits this special 5-bedroom, 3-bath residence. The distinctive design of this young Colonial offers formal entertaining rooms along with comfortable living spaces. The grand custom kitchen with vaulted ceiling and center island sits adjacent to the great room which is perfect for gatherings big or small. This room conveniently opens to the gazebo covered deck creating an extension of the home’s living area. The resort-style private backyard truly has something for everyone featuring new in-ground saltwater pool, built-in kitchen with gas BBQ, hot tub and professionally built turf field.
MLS# 3573811 | $2,250,000
When you’re embarking on the journey of buying or selling a home, you deserve to work with a realtor who is committed to your goals and will go the extra mile to ensure a seamless transaction. Laura’s personalized approach, combined with her expertise and market insights, will provide you with the confidence and support you need throughout the process.
Laura Algios
Associate Real Estate Broker
Gold Circle of Excellence
North Shore Office
c.516.578.6750
lauraalgios@danielgale.com
Great Neck, NY
Magnificent 7-bedroom Tudor estate, set on 1.0285 landscaped acres, completed in 1930 and exquisitely updated and dressed to perfection. Nestled within the University Gardens neighborhood (fees/dues). Expansive bluestone patio with built-in summer kitchen. Striking foyer with a grand bifurcated staircase and a soaring coffered ceiling. Principal rooms filled with natural light. Impressive formal living room, library/office, sophisticated dining room, kitchen with furniture-like custom wood cabinetry. There are 2 sumptuous primary suites with 5 additional luxurious bedrooms, spa-like baths with radiant heat and custom closets with fittings. Lower level features a spacious entertainer’s recreation room, a theatre room, a gym, baths, a sauna, a laundry room and access to the three-bay attached garages. Smart Savant AV system, central vacuum, irrigation, landscape lighting.
MLS# 3568259 | $5,350,000
Jennifer I Hui Lo
Associate Real Estate Broker
Great Neck Office
c.516.376.9212
jenniferlo@danielgale.com
TsungMou(Richard) Hsieh
Associate Real Estate Broker
Great Neck Office
c.347.762.7253
tsungmouhsieh@danielgale.com
Locust Valley, NY
This exceptional 2-acre Estate overlooks the Long Island Sound, wetlands, and a tidal creek, bordering the Oyster Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Built in the 1980s and extensively renovated in 2002, the home offers sunlit rooms, including 2 primary suites. Expansive porches, a heated gunite pool, and breathtaking sunsets create an idyllic setting for gracious living and entertaining.
Recent Sales
Katie Cuddeback
Since the beginning of her Real Estate career in 1979, Katie Cuddeback has accrued a long line of satisfied Real Estate customers, both buyers and sellers who continually supply her with decades of personal referrals. Her stellar reputation can be attributed to her honesty, confidentiality and dependability. Through the years, Katie has consistently been one of Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty’s multi-million-dollar producers, specializing in Locust Valley and the surrounding villages. Her knowledge of the North Shore’s unique neighborhoods is extensive in enabling buyers to make the right choice in selecting the location of their new home. Regarded as a true professional among her peers, she consistently provides premier service with a high-level of integrity.
Katie Cuddeback
Associate Real Estate Broker
Gold Circle of Excellence
Locust Valley Office c.516.238.9919
katiecuddeback@danielgale.com
Long Beach Offi ce
Our Long Beach office, established in 2021, thrives in the heart of the bustling business community, close to the boardwalk and sandy beaches. Specializing in diverse residential properties like beachfront estates, waterfront homes, and rentals, our experienced agents navigate the local real estate market adeptly. Backed by the reputable Sotheby’s brand, we excel in providing exceptional service to buyers and renters.
Committed to community support, we engage in initiatives like the Polar Bear Plunge for Make-a-Wish Foundation and leadership roles in the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce. Our dedicated team ensures a smooth real estate experience, with professionals like sales and marketing coordinators. Long Beach offers outdoor adventures, award-winning cuisine, and vibrant nightlife, making it a coastal haven for all. Whether you seek active pursuits or relaxation, Long Beach caters to your desires.
Locust Valley, NY – “Meadow Farm at Lands End”
Welcome to “Meadow Farm”, a magical compound located on the North Shore’s Gold Coast and only steps away from the Long Island sound. A one-of-a-kind property set on 8 acres, offers a unique, serene, and luxurious lifestyle only one hour from Manhattan. At the center of “Meadow Farm” is a large 6-bedroom home blending the charm of country living with all the modern comforts of today’s lifestyle. The light and bright Cottage-style home is thoughtfully and elegantly designed, featuring spacious rooms creating an atmosphere that is warm and inviting. The property also boasts a beautiful 5-stall stable complete with tack room, (“Rumor has it Queen Elizabeth boarded her horses here.”) Additionally, there are two charming caretaker Cottages, a large greenhouse, and 4-car garage. A Masterpiece Collection Listing. MLS# 3566322 | $5,750,000
Karen
Sharf
To Me Luxury Is an Experience, Not a Price Point.
It’s the little things that define luxury, never the price tag. It’s the charm of a home, the style, the warmth and beauty.
Luxury is also in the detailed service I provide. An elevated experience for both buyer and seller is what I’m all about.
Let me show you the difference when working with a top agent that truly understands and delivers quality and luxury in everything I do.
Karen Sharf
Associate Real Estate Broker Gold Circle of Excellence Wheatley Plaza Office c.516.972.7647 karensharf@danielgale.com
Old Brookville, NY
Build your dream home in the Chatwal Estates, a boutique gated community situated on a newly developed 23+ acre community. Fully developed lots with all utilities underground and ready for immediate building. Located just 25 miles from Manhattan and close to fine dining and shopping. Across from the gated entrance to the Chatwal Estates is a 60-acre parcel that is to be forever preserved in its natural state.
This sprawling, beautifully designed Colonial offers a perfect blend of luxurious nature living and modern convenience, with endless updates and features, including a gunite pool and clay tennis court. With wings dedicated to both work and play, the home offers an ideal layout for modern living, whether hosting extravagant gatherings or enjoying daily life. Large rooms serve as central hubs, filled with natural light and designed for comfort. Endless updates throughout ensure that everything from the utilities to the mechanicals is in diamond condition, making this home ready for its next owners to enjoy from day one.
MLS# 3556815 | $3,400,000
Bryce Levy
Real Estate Salesperson Huntington Office c.516.330.8870
brycelevy@danielgale.com
Charming Colonial | Port Washington, NY
Manhasset Bay Estates charming 3-bedroom, 2-bath Center Hall Colonial on lovely tree-lined street. The welcoming foyer leads to a bright and sunny living room with wood-burning fireplace and custom built-ins as well as the spacious formal dining room. The den with gas fireplace and additional recreation space leads you to a large, spacious deck as well as an attached 2-car garage. The second floor has a primary bedroom, 2 additional generous sized bedrooms and full bath. Manhasset Bay Beach and mooring with fee, convenient to town and train.
MLS# 3573712 | $1,299,000
Serene Expanded Ranch | Port Washington, NY
Nestled in the hills of Manhasset Bay Estates with sweeping views of the Plandome Golf Course, this beautifully maintained Expanded Ranch invites you in. A charming brick patio sets the stage for al fresco dining, while inside, a welcoming flow connects the formal living room with a hearth fireplace, dining room, and vaulted great room. The first-floor primary bedroom features a newly renovated en suite bath, while 2 additional bedrooms and a spa-inspired bath await upstairs. Move right in and enjoy this unique and serene home.
MLS# 3576234 | $1,189,000
Investing in your home and creating interest requires a strategy. With my perfected preparation, pricing, and presentation combined with an eye for staging, high-quality photography that stands out, and the ability to determine the right pricing, I ensure that buyers see your home’s greatest potential in this ever-changing market.
Contact me today to see your home in my portfolio.
Beth Catrone
Associate Real Estate Broker Gold Circle of Excellence Port Washington Office c.516.647.1729 bethcatrone@danielgale.com
Jamaica Estates, NY
Nestled in prestigious Jamaica Estates, this fully renovated Center Hall Colonial blends luxury and comfort. Set on a 6,000 sq ft lot, the home has 4 spacious bedrooms, 4 luxurious baths, and a stunning Florida room for seamless indoor-outdoor living. Enjoy a chef’s kitchen with stainless steel appliances, radiant heated floors, a new roof and siding, and central air. This exceptional property offers elegance, functionality, and modern living.
Jamaica Estates, NY
Welcome to this stunning Center Hall Colonial, blending timeless elegance with modern comfort. The grand foyer welcomes you to four spacious bedrooms, including a luxurious primary suite, and 2.5 baths with upscale finishes. With radiant heat throughout all tiled floors, and formal and cozy living spaces, this meticulously crafted home offers the perfect setting for making lasting memories.
SADYKOVA
Bay Shore Offi ce
Contact us at 631.647.7013
In the heart of Bay Shore, Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty stands as a gateway to coastal luxury. Our office, nestled in vibrant downtown, offers more than real estate—it provides a curated journey to unparalleled elegance. From stunning waterfront estates to exclusive Fire Island retreats, our team of seasoned professionals excels in matching exquisite homes with discerning clients. We pride ourselves on achieving high sales prices and delivering a sophisticated experience with every property. At our Bay Shore office, each sale is a testament to refinement and success.
Let’s turn your dream into a reality. Connect with us today.
Cold Spring Harbor, NY
Water Views and Sunsets! Welcome to this stunning Cold Spring Harbor residence, where breathtaking water views and unforgettable sunsets are part of your everyday experience. Nestled on a quiet cul de sac this home offers an unparalleled blend of elegance and natural beauty. Step inside to discover a sophisticated kitchen, complete with a Wolf 4-burner stove, Subzero refrigerator, Aobosi wine fridge, and a Thermador dishwasher. The open floor plan is accentuated by gleaming hardwood floors and a coffered ceiling in the dining room.
Custom built-in cabinetry and surround sound create a luxurious and inviting atmosphere, while two fireplaces, one wood-burning and one gas add warmth and charm. The mainfloor primary bedroom offers serene views and a full en suite bathroom. Upstairs, the expansive primary suite features a private sitting room, two walk-in closets, and a spa-like bathroom with a soaking tub and radiant heat. Another junior suite on the second floor includes a full bath and walk-in closet, providing ample space for family or guests. The lower level is an entertainer’s dream, with a family room and fireplace, a gym, and a laundry room, all seamlessly connected to an outdoor deck. Embrace the elegance, enjoy the sunsets, and live the dream in this exceptional water view property.
MLS# 3575229 | $3,495,000
Jeanne
Posillico Leonard Associate Real Estate Broker
Cold Spring Harbor Office
c.631.902.9250
jeanneleonard@danielgale.com
Northport, NY
Welcome to your dream waterfront home— a renovated 3-bedroom, 4-bath retreat on a private road, offering comfort, tranquility, and breathtaking sunsets. Enjoy high-end finishes, open living spaces, and outdoor amenities like a soaking pool and spacious deck, perfect for relaxation or entertaining.
MLS# 3569770 | $1,680,000
Noreen Sweeney Real Estate Salesperson Northport Office
c.631.327.2844
noreensweeney@danielgale.com
Christopher Doveala
Marissa Makram
Michael Spampinato
Susan Ciccone Real Estate Salesperson
Diane Duff y Real Estate Salesperson
Zahid Mehmood Real Estate Salesperson
Cynthia Toledo Real Estate Salesperson
Bessie
Sharon Bloch
Jacqueline
Holly
Benjamin Eckstein
Tor Johnson
Rejane Ribeiro
Discover Your North Fork Oasis
Escape the hustle and bustle and find your perfect sanctuary on the picturesque North Fork of Long Island. Enjoy stunning water views, charming downtowns, and a peaceful lifestyle. Explore our wide range of properties, from cozy cottages to spacious estates. Start your dream life today.
Cutchogue, NY
Unwind in your private sanctuary with a spacious 3-bedroom, 3.5-bath haven in the sought after Fleets Neck community. Entertain effortlessly in the dream kitchen and comfortable floor plan with spacious living room, den, and sunroom overlooking the backyard with room for a pool. MLS# 3570855. $1,350,000.
Jamesport, NY
This charming beachside retreat boasts captivating water vistas, just a a few blocks from Iron Pier Beach. Set amidst serene surroundings, this 3-bedroom, 2-bath haven epitomizes modern comfort and convenience. Step into an inviting open-concept layout, adorned with gleaming hardwood floors, where every corner exudes warmth and style. MLS# 3549346. $799,000.
William McIntosh
Real Estate Salesperson
Gold Circle of Excellence
Cutchogue, Shelter Island & Manhasset Offices
c.516.857.4645
williammcintosh@danielgale.com
Cutchogue, NY
Welcome to this charming 4-bedroom home offering single-level living with a bright, open, and spacious concept. The backyard is perfect for entertaining or relaxing with friends and family, featuring all the must-haves for an outdoor retreat. MLS# 3559669. $1,295,000.
Southold, NY
With ample space for a pool and potential for expansion, this 3-bedroom home offers all the amenities of a beach community. A short stroll takes you to the water, perfect for escaping with your paddle board or kayak, leading out to Goose Creek Beach. MLS# 3565566. $759,000.
Katie Schimpf Real Estate Salesperson
Sterling Circle of Accomplishment
Mattituck Love Lane Office
c.908.246.4855
katieschimpf@danielgale.com
Orient, NY
Nestled atop a gently sloping hillside in the quaint hamlet of Orient, this modern yet timeless residence offers a serene retreat. Featuring panoramic vistas of the lush Southern tree canopy and the sweeping Great Peconic Bay, Narrow River, and South Fork, this property is a secluded oasis for those seeking unparalleled privacy on its sprawling 3-acre grounds. The outdoor amenities include a tennis court, a luxurious gunite pool, multiple decks, and a patio with a striking stone fireplace perfect for outdoor gatherings. Inside, the home exudes a harmonious blend of contemporary design and historical charm, seamlessly integrating additions to the original structure. The primary bedroom, positioned at the highest point of the house, boasts breathtaking views and lofty sunlit ceilings, complemented by an en-suite bathroom. The expansive 5000+ sqft interior offers a well-thought-out layout, featuring a home gym, a climate-controlled art storage room, an indoor spa with a hot tub and sauna, two interior woodburning fireplaces, and custom built-in shelving that adds a touch of sophistication throughout the space.
MLS# 3556648 | $2,499,999
William Walters Real Estate Salesperson Greenport Office
c.631.553.6533 williamwalters@danielgale.com
Remsenburg, NY
Presenting a 7,490 sq. ft. masterpiece by Owen Construction, this luxurious Hamptons Classic on 1.3 acres offers refined luxury living. Natural light fills the home which features 4 bedrooms, 5-full and 2-half baths, and additional upper-level den and spacious bonus room areas. Enjoy a chef’s kitchen, perfect for gatherings. Surround sound throughout the home and landscape. Outside, your private oasis awaits ready to entertain with a gourmet kitchen pavilion and 20 x 40 ft. heated saltwater Gunite pool with room for tennis. 3-car garage with a cargo lift to basement and passenger elevator bring you to sauna/gym and an additional 3,000+ sq. ft. basement which awaits your future transformation. Owner/broker.
MLS# 3575156 | $6,895,000
Christine Owen
Real Estate Salesperson Hamptons Office
c.631.241.8859 christineowen@danielgale.com
Shelter Island, NY
Renovated in 2012 by Fokine Construction, this home offers stunning water views of Menantic Creek from most rooms. Step onto the water side deck for a serene outdoor retreat. Enjoy the tranquility of the 1.29-acre shared parcel extending into the creek.
MLS# 3564455 | $2,895,000
Shelter Island, NY
Built in 1901, impeccable craftsmanship defines this 6-bedroom, 4.5-bath residence. Features a new heated 20 x 50 Gunite pool, hot tub, brick patio and a generous deep water dock.
MLS# 3567654 | $7,950,000
Real Estate Sold By Real Experts.
Remsenburg, NY
With 386 ft. of private waterfront with sandy beach access, this Estate on 3+ acres offers stunning west-facing water views on Seatuck Cove. This luxurious single-level home features 4 en-suite bedrooms, 2 fireplaces. Beautifully landscaped resort-like property includes pool, tennis court and full house generator. MLS# 3551504. $6,500,000.
Quogue, NY
“Nunnakoma” is a waterfront retreat on Penniman Creek. This elegant shingle-style home with 8-beds and 7-baths offers sweeping bay views across 17 rooms. Features include a grand foyer, gourmet kitchen and expansive porches. This residence epitomizes luxury living in a serene setting. A Masterpiece Collection Listing. MLS# 3552961. $8,500,000.
Bellport Village, NY
“The Point” is a 5-bed, 5-bath Estate on 3.37 waterfront acres featuring panoramic views of the Great South Bay. Luxurious details include vaulted ceilings, sunroom, pool and spa, tennis, and a deep-water dock. Enjoy Long Island’s storied history while enjoying modern luxury. A Masterpiece Collection Listing. MLS# 3534922. $16,500,000.
Bellport Village, NY
“Bay Breeze” is a stunning 3-level waterfront Estate set on 2.5 acres of mature gardens with expansive bay views. This luxurious 5-bed, 5 and 2-half bath residence includes golf, a heated Gunite pool and spa, poolhouse, Har-Tru tennis court and a marine wall with a dock for watercraft. A Masterpiece Collection Listing. MLS# 3481565. $7,495,000.
Nestled in the heart of Westhampton Beach, the Hamptons Office of Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty proudly serves clients across the East End. With over 40 seasoned agents and brokers, we expertly handle everything from marketing luxury estates and coastal retreats to securing seasonal rentals and helping clients find their first home. Contact us today to experience the Daniel Gale Sotheby’s difference firsthand.
“Queens
Douglaston, NY
Queen Anne Victorian is situated in the Historic District of Douglas Manor. This distinguished 6-bedroom 3.5-bath home has captivated admirers for generations and occupies a special corner on the waterfront. Your first introduction is a wraparound porch with ionic columns, balustrades, and stone steps. The first floor has a parlor with French doors followed by a music area. The classic touches of the formal dining room are many. The walls are adorned with wainscoting and the original handmade Mercer tiles. This is one of the Manor’s earliest homes with an authentic separate carriage house.
MLS# 3549806 | $3,293,000
Parvaneh (Pattie) Rifino
Associate Real Estate Broker Bayside/Flushing Office c.646.361.3325 pattierifino@danielgale.com
For over 100 years, Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty has evolved from a small, family-owned business to the preeminent real estate brokerage firm for Long Island, Brooklyn, and Queens. 35 years of local knowledge, experience, and service throughout Brooklyn, makes us the go-to brokerage for all your real estate needs.
Find us Located Across Long Island from Brooklyn to the East End
42B Middle Neck Road
Great Neck, NY 11021
516.466.4036
Greenport
114 Main Street
Greenport, NY 11944
631.477.0013
Hamptons
100 Main Street
Westhampton Beach, NY 11978
631.288.1050
Huntington
263 Main Street
Huntington, NY 11743
631.427.6600
Locust Valley
1 Buckram Road
Locust Valley, NY 11560
516.759.4800
Long Beach
350 National Boulevard, Suite 2E
Long Beach, NY 11561
516.670.1700
Manhasset
364 Plandome Road
Manhasset, NY 11030
516.627.4440
Mattituck
10095 Main Road, #9
Mattituck, NY 11952
631.298.0300
Mattituck Love Lane
70 Love Lane
Mattituck, NY 11952
631.298.4130
Northport
77 Main Street
Northport, NY 11768
631.754.3400
North Shore
329 Glen Cove Avenue
Sea Cliff, NY 11579
516.674.2000
Park Slope
89 7th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11217
718.638.6500
Port Washington
350 Main Street
Port Washington, NY 11050
516.883.2900
Rockville Centre
36 S. Park Avenue
Rockville Centre, NY 11570
516.678.1510
Sea Cliff
266 Sea Cliff Avenue
Sea Cliff, NY 11579
516.759.6822
Shelter Island 11 Grand Avenue
Shelter Island Heights, NY 11965
631.749.1155
Smithtown 81 Route 111
Smithtown, NY 11787
631.584.6600
Stony Brook/Port Jefferson 1067 Route 25A
Stony Brook, NY 11790
631.689.6980
Syosset/Muttontown
7951 Jericho Turnpike
Woodbury, NY 11797
516.677.0030
Wheatley Plaza
342 Wheatley Plaza
Greenvale, NY 11548
516.626.7600
Williamsburg
299 Bedford Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11211
718.689.8400
Debra
Sunapee, New Hampshire
Lake Sunapee Compound
Located on 5 level acres with 400 ft. prime shoreline - this Lake Sunapee property features a sweeping lawn overlooking Harbor and Broad Lake views. 5,300 sq. ft. main house, guest house, boat house, sandy beach. A meandering creek provides a haven for an abundance of wildlife who will visit daily. Property can be subdivided. Your family will love adventuring on 10 miles of crystal-clear waters offering harbors, a multitude of islands, sand bars, prime fishing and coves and inlets to explore. The lake freezes in winter - with mirror glass ice beckoning skating, kite sailing and snowmobiling fun. Mt. Sunapee Ski Resort is a kid-friendly mountain. Easy commute to Boston and New York City.
This stunning sunny, south-facing home features expansive and textured views of Little Lake Sunapee and Mt. Sunapee to the south. Follow the winding driveway through a wooded glade - the tree canopy opens up to reveal open fields, lush gardens, old stone walls, specimen trees and a stunning Twin Chimney Greek Revival contemporary home. Open concept living spaces move to an inviting screen porch, open deck and sweeping lawn blurring the transitions between inside and out. Three spacious bedrooms include a primary suite with private balcony, spa bath and adjacent office. Four garage bays. Ride your bike to a sandy town swimming beach. Golf and skiing a 10-minute drive. 90 minutes to Boston.
Introducing Gill Huff Ranch, a one-of-a-kind Jackson Hole legacy property located at the foothills of the Teton Mountain range. Situated on 199 pristine acres with scenic mountain and water views and trails, owners and guests alike will revel in the combination of luxurious finishes and rich history of this estate. A winding, private road leads you to this oasis which feels hidden yet is just a 5 minute drive from the charming town and amenities of downtown Wilson. A combination of original log cabins were relocated to the property from Slide Lake in Kelly, and transformed by adjoining them to the newly constructed main wing of the home, creating an expanse awash with opportunities to enjoy the peace and quiet of the setting and yet still have all of the modern
comforts and luxuries of newer mountain modern construction. Thoughtfully placed under conservation easement with the Jackson Hole Land Trust, along with many neighboring properties, yet still retaining the rights to develop multiple structures that now exist along with an additional structure if needed. The main home serves as the focal point of the property, with its large windowed great room, nearby chef’s kitchen with incredible natural light and views, private primary wing with office, as well as a fitness room and guest suite, numerous outdoor hardscapes and decks which are ideal for observing the abundant wildlife and beauty of the natural surroundings, along with an attached guest suite with a bedroom, bath, living area and kitchenette. Just a short distance up the hill is a separate 2-bedroom guest cabin and spa cabin with sauna.
Seattle, Washington
Iconic Seattle Penthouse
Magic happens when the rarest of opportunities present themselves. This stunningly beautiful home was taken down to the studs and lovingly reimagined, creating one expansive living space that encompasses the entire top floor. Sweeping city, lake, and mountain views are anchored by the Space Needle, a sight that will render you speechless. Ideally located on Queen Anne Hill, 111 W Highland Drive is one of the finest boutique buildings in the city. Sited on a charming tree-lined street, adjacent to Kerry Park, it is perched above downtown Seattle. Quaint neighborhood shops, restaurants, and parks are blocks away. No expense was spared in this complete remodel. Hard to find 5,300+ sq. ft. one-level penthouse living with 3 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, family/media
room plus two dens, studio apartment, 4 secure garage parking spaces, separate studio apartment with 1 additional parking space available, and much more. This home is for those with the most discerning taste, who crave privacy and yearn for an unrivaled setting, with top-of-the-world views and amazing sunsets. Truly living in the clouds! Explore more details and building amenities at our website.
Locust Valley, NY
Collaborating with the homeowners, noted architects, Innocenti and Webel created a thoughtful residence with a well curated design. Custom built only seven years ago, this smart home transcends the competition with its organic textures, luxurious finishes, craftsmanship and quality construction. A long winding drive leads to the gated entry and 8.06 lush acres with specimen trees and flowering hydrangea, lilies, and roses. The pool house with full Bath, Kitchenette and Living Room overlooks the gunite pool with stone wall featuring refreshing water spouts. Interiors are graced with the subtle patterning of herringbone wood floors, high ceilings with unique coiffering and beams, and custom wall treatments. Graceful, well proportioned principle rooms are filled with light from French doors that run along the rear corridor of the home.