Displaying posts from April, 2025

Childhood, the experts say, is what shapes our taste as adults, and Barry Dixon readily admits this holds true for him. Raised in a gracious Southern manor and historic residences around the world, he grew up with tall ceilings, sweeping staircases, wide moldings, claw-foot tubs, and fireplaces in nearly every room. The romance of traditional architecture with its proper scale and proportion never left him, and when he came across an old Edwardian manor for sale in the Virginia countryside, it was like coming back home.
A quick google search leads me to believe Barry has since sold this spectacular home, but given how stunning every inch of this home is, I bet that was not an easy decision. This is about as elegant and layered and full of history as it gets.

Set in a uniquely varied Otama Beach landscape in New Zealand, this house embraces ocean views, forested gullies and shadowed streams. Entered from the south via a winding path, the home reveals itself gradually. Arranged along the land’s natural fall, timber-framed spaces are designed to align with specific views and moments of use. Service areas sit discreetly along the southern spine. Inside, crafted timber and steel add warmth while charred cladding helps the home blend with the bush. Carefully placed apertures connect interior life with the surrounding landscape. Waimataruru by Pac Studio in collaboration with Kristina Pickford Design.

Photography by Sam Hartnett.

On the Upper East Side, Australian interior designer Greg Natale’s New York townhouse reflects the city’s vibrant spirit and its owner’s global influences. Once a mixed-use building, it now blends Italian craftsmanship and Parisian flair. Natale reinstated the original two-door entrance and infused the interiors with bold marble, vintage finds, and bespoke details like the floral chandelier by Crizu. Inspired by a pink and green palette, the layered design celebrates art, culture, and creativity, with the ground floor serving as a dedicated art school.

Photography by Anson Smart.

I have a loooong list of homes I would LOVE to own one day, and an ancient stone home in the South of France would be at the top of the list. Well, it turns out you don’t need to move to Europe to enjoy this style of living. This home in Barton Creek, Austin TX is newly built, designed by Chas Architects with interiors with a touch of a old-world monastic vibe, by Mohon. Photos: Dror Baldinger & Nathan Schroder.
For this home perched above Barton Creek, great care was taken to apply genuine materials in authentic ways, while expressing contemporary elegance throughout the interior. With its genoise eaves, rustic stone, and aged tile roof, this house recalls the rural hill towns and farm houses of Southern France. The classic material palette transitions inside with reclaimed oak beams, stone floors, walnut wood paneling, and three-coat plaster walls. Meanwhile, transitional elements, like large steel windows and doors, lend an airy feel to the interior spaces and maximize views of the live oak canopy and limestone bluffs beyond. Painted cabinets, contemporary fixtures, art, and furniture all contribute to a sense of luxury and repose.

This 7 bedorom, 9 bathroom, 11,500 sq ft new build in Encino, California was given an absolutely stunning interior that is warm, timeless and full of lived-in character thanks to designer Christina Cole. I can barely get passed the kitchen – the Calacatta Cadia marble, the hammered brass wrapped island, the stunning white oak & glass uppers (those curves!) and of course a butler’s pantry. Much of the furniture is very curvy and plush which adds sooo much coziness. The warm, soft tones of all the walls and furnishings and wood accents are so soothing. It is a wonderful mix of elegance and comfort. Photos: Nils Timm.