Tranquil House

Concrete is usually thought to be heavy and bulky. For a family home in Shiga, Japan, FORM/Kouichi Kimura Architects contradict the raw material by turning it into a light, tranquil abode. The structure is built on a busy highway, leading to a lack of voids to allow for privacy. On the south facade, thick entry walls cantilever over the ground as if the house is weightless. While the floor plan is open, varying floor and ceiling heights help to define rooms. Celestial windows wash the living spaces in natural light, softening the exposed concrete walls. The tile floor extends the interior to a terrace where a glazed wall blurs the boundary between the inside and the outdoors. From the patio, a railing blocks the unwanted surroundings and draws the eye up to enjoy northern views of the landscape in the distance.

Photos: Norihito Yamauchi, Yoshihiro Asada / FORM/Kouichi Kimura Architects

Supreme Skateboard Deck Collection

Spanning two decades worth of releases, this Supreme Skateboard Deck Collection is a solid representation of the streetwear brand. The decks date as far back as 1998 and as recent as 2018, and feature a wide range of subject matter, including pop culture icons, artworks both classic and modern, and, of course, the brand's iconic logo. A total of 248 decks are part of the offering, including a complete Louis Vuitton Boite skateboard trunk with matching tool kit, trucks, wheels, and shoulder strap.

Chuey House

Built in 1956 by noted architect Richard Neutra, the Chuey House sits on two-acres high in the Hollywood Hills. The International-style home was designed for poet Josephine Ain Chuey and features floor-to-ceiling glazing with expansive views of both the canyon and the Los Angeles basin. While the dwelling's clean lines and cantilevered deck are a mid-century dream, it's 1,896-square-foot floorplan might not suit the modern buyer. But all is not lost. The property could support up to a 20,000-square-foot stunner as long as the new buyers are willing to relocate the historic structure for preservation.

Blackberry Mountain

Adventure meets luxury at Blackberry Mountain. Sited on eight miles of protected ridge top in Tennessee's Great Smoky Mountains, the resort offers a park-like experience with a vast array of activities to appease the most experienced thrill seeker. For a more Zen approach, there's also a list of calming classes to recharge the mind among the impressive scenery. In between intense hikes or treetop yoga, guests can relax in a cottage, cabin, or home nestled on the property. The final piece of the Blackberry Mountain puzzle is their two restaurants. Inspired by the surrounding mountains, the health-focused eateries use local ingredients, often foraged from the ridge, to refuel guests with fresh, seasonal fare.

Andesite Ridge House

Located in Montana's Yellowstone Club, the Andesite Ridge House is a Rocky Mountain retreat that'll help you embrace the winter blues. The lodge-like home is situated just below Lone Peak on over two acres. Its 7,000-square-foot interior is everything you'd want from an alpine cabin with stacked stone walls, towering wood ceilings, and a massive antler chandelier. To take advantage of the views of Pioneer Mountain, Eglise, and the Gallatin Range, rooms are lined with floor-to-ceiling windows while the exterior is surrounded by over 2,500-square-feet of outdoor terraces, including a heated stone patio with a 10-person hot tub. Those who like to stay warm can pass the time indoors at the home theater, game room, and wine cellar but for the adventure seekers, the property connects to the neighborhood slopes for a complete ski in/ski out experience.

Tiny Holiday House

Minimal in size and aesthetic, the Tiny Holiday House makes escaping to The Netherlands all the more enjoyable. The compact home is comprised of four cubes situated on the edge of a lake. Their varying sizes and uniform charred facade give them a sculptural quality. Despite its modest size, the interior's use of polished concrete floors, whitewashed walls, and natural oak panels create a spacious atmosphere. Large glazed panels take advantage of the incoming sunlight while framing in views of the surrounding landscape. To further expand the living space, sliding glass doors extend the interior out to a landscaped terrace overlooking the water.

Photos: Ewout Huibers / Chris Collaris Architects

King Bill House

Located in Melbourne's Fitzroy neighborhood, the King Bill House puts a whimsical spin on a 1850s terrace home. Much of its original brick facade remains as a tribute to the structure's heritage while curved corrugated additions give the exterior a quirky touch that echoes the area's colorful character. Internally, rounded edges and playful details, like the hammock above the study, mimic the outside's eccentricity. The original lot has been expanded to a neighboring garden. To take advantage of its new verdant landscape, a winding, glass corridor connects the main house to an existing stable that has been converted into a garage and guesthouse. The glazed walkway not only fills the interior with natural light but also showcases the mature pear and silver birch trees that have occupied the property for decades.

Photos: Derek Swalwell / Austin Maynard Architects

Dye House Loft

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the American Woolens Dye house is a historic factory in Providence, Rhode Island. The linear brick building has undergone an extensive renovation, reworking its industrial bones into a work/live dream scenario. While much of the structure's original DNA still runs through the interiors in the exposed masonry, polished concrete floors, and steel frame windows, the former textile mill now houses four bedrooms and four-and-a-half baths along with a light-filled studio space. During the transformation, the property also received upgrades to the plumbing, electrical, exterior, and roof.

Photos: Circa Old Houses

Basalt Candles

From start to finish, Basalt's attention to detail is second to none. For starters, their scents are anything but basic. The Sweet Tobacco mixes together notes of tobacco, vanilla, peppercorn, and whiskey to exude the aroma of an evening pipe and a glass of spiced whiskey, while Dark Tides smells like salty ocean waves crashing on a shipwreck by blending sea salt, musk, lavender, and cedar. Each one of the soy wax candles is hand-poured into mini industrial paint cans and sealed to keep the fragrance at its freshest. Sold individually.

The Ministry London

The Ministry of Sound has been a London nightlife staple for 25 years but now, they're catering to the next phase for their creative club-goers. The new venture is a combination of a shared workspace and a members-only club geared toward visionaries in the music, fashion, and tech industries. Housed in a former Victorian printworks, the building's industrial heritage is on full display with exposed brick walls steel beams. Its co-working areas span across four floors and feature meeting rooms, private and open offices, and a kitchen for breaks. Although when employees really need a breather, they can head down and grab a cocktail from the seventy-foot copper bar. The members-only portion will also include a 40-seat cinema, a restaurant, and sound studios. Acceptance is limited and applications are reviewed monthly by a committee.

Ezra Arthur Straight Razor & Paddle Strop Case

Created in collaboration with Max Sprecher, a custom straight razor wiz who makes each blade by hand in his Las Vegas studio, this razor is built to last forever. It features a full-sized 8/8" 1/4 hollow ground blade forged in carbon steel and a handle that is just as special — made from ultra high-density carbon fiber uni plate, which provides the appearance of wood grain but won't warp or rot over time. It's robust yet balanced with an easy grip for one of the best shaves you've ever had. A paddle strop razor case is included, made from dense cocobolo hardwood with solid brass hardware and wrapped in calfskin leather. Each case is custom tailored to fit the Max Sprecher Signature Straight Razor and is precision machined and handcrafted in the USA.

Height: 1" / Width: 2" / Length: 9" / Weight: 75 grams

Villa Tjelta

Situated among the rolling hills of a Norwegian pasture, the Villa Tjelta uses the landscape to its advantage. The home is made up of two structures. Nestled between the slopes, the terrain defines an outdoor courtyard, sheltering it from the harsh winds. Its exterior echoes the agricultural heritage of the surrounding countryside with a weathered Corten steel facade, reminiscent of a rusted plow. Internally, a warm ash veneer lines the walls and ceilings. The singular material creates a modern, minimalist palette that contrasts the agrarian scenery that's displayed by continuous rows of glazed panels.

Photos: Knut Folstad / Hoem + Folstad Arkitekter

The Hoxton Williamsburg

London-based hotel group Ennismore is bringing their English charm across the pond for their first hotel in The States. Housed in the former Rosenwach factory, The Hoxton Williamsburg softens the building's industrial heritage with pastel hues and pale parquet floors to welcome guests with an inviting atmosphere. Their 175 bedrooms are fitted with a mix of brass fixtures, raw concrete, and rich velvets while ceramics made by local artisans and a curated book collection make visitors feel like they're staying in Brooklyn brownstone rather than a boutique hotel. Also on the property are a number of indoor and outdoor dining experiences, including a rooftop bar that affords views of the Manhattan skyline.

Eaton Hotel DC

Holistic hospitality is the aim at Eaton Hotel DC. The downtown venue is a combination of a healing wellness center and a contemporary bohemian retreat. Rooms are decked out in Gachot Studio-designed furnishings that mix together rich woods and vibrant kilim rugs, giving them a relaxed, residential feel. Guest can mingle throughout a series of communal areas and shared workspaces or indulge in a solitary cocktail at American Son's marble bartop. At the heart of the hotel is its wellness center. Rather than clocking in the miles on treadmills, visitors may find their inner zen with classes ranging from meditation and yoga to sound baths and infrared saunas.

Cortez Street House

The Cortez Street House breathes new life into a former Chicago butcher shop with a modern extension. The original building is a two-story structure built in 1905 from Chicago Common brick. Its lower level is now a main living area and a workshop for the owner where an antique Bromann Brothers cooler found in the property was restored, providing a partition between spaces. Off of the upper level, a weathered cube houses the master suite. Full-height glazing leads out to a private balcony created by a recessed wall. The cantilevered deck offers shade to the terrace below while its roof acts as a water collection system for the garden. Clad in Corten steel, the rusty attachment adds a contemporary contrast to the traditional existing masonry facade.

Photos: Carmen Troesser / Moss Design

Kudadoo Maldives Private Island Resort

Rather than topping their huts with traditional thatched roofs, the Kudadoo Maldives Private Island Resort is taking a sustainable approach to the exotic beach getaway. It's instead covered completely by solar panels that collect enough energy to power the entire property. The escape is floating in a lagoon just off a tiny island in the Maldives. Guests stay in private over-the-water bungalows that are fitted with Tasmanian oak floors and handmade furniture and come with private butlers and personal plunge pools. Forming an arched pattern, each room is fully immersed in views of the turquoise waters. On the opposite end of the island, the two-story main building houses a restaurant, lounge, spa, and a pool that extends out into the sea.

Zinfandel House

Combining vernacular architecture and contemporary design, the Zinfandel House gives the rustic Napa Valley barn a modern reinterpretation. The Wine Country retreat is sited in the St. Helena valley surrounded by vineyards and ancient oaks. The gabled structure's exterior nods to the local agrarian buildings with a western red cedar facade and metal roof. While the rustic palette continues on the interior with dark timber and steel trusses, clean white walls, steel frame windows, and concrete details drive the aesthetic in a modern direction. Panels of glazing wash living spaces with natural light while also framing in views of the rural landscape. Arranged around a central courtyard, the interior seamlessly flows to a poolside terrace that looks out to rows of grapes and the property's existing hay barn.

Photos: Joe Fletcher / Field Architecture

Vallée du Parc House

Frank Lloyd Wright was known for connecting his architecture with nature. The Vallée du Parc House pays homage to the iconic architect by applying his philosophies to the 21st-century. Built in the Quebec countryside, the home blends into the rural landscape with a low-profile and timber facade while the irregular slopes of its angular roof resemble the surrounding hillsides. The interior is defined by clean white walls and vaulted ceilings, a contemporary counterpoint to the valley views highlighted by expansive glazed panels. To deepen the dialogue between the home and the setting, a network of external terraces bridge the gap between the interior and the outdoors.

Photos: Chevalier Morales Architectes

Morpheus Hotel

Zaha Hadid Architects add the Morpheus Hotel to the skyline in Macau, China. Inspired by the country's ancient tradition of jade carving, the 772 guest rooms are housed within a sculpted exoskeleton. Its interior continues the futuristic aesthetic with fluid walls and glass elevators to transport guests throughout the space. Glazed panels fill the geometric frame offering panoramic views of the surroundings from both the suites and the five chef-run restaurants. But the best views can be found while lounging 40-stories up at the rooftop swimming pool. Also on the property are six duplex villas with butler service, kitchens, and massage rooms, a wellness center, and a fine collection of modern art.

Photos: Virgile Simon Bertrand and Ivan Dupont / Zaha Hadid Architects

Alpine Noir Chalet

Combining the right amount of coziness and funk, the Alpine Noir Chalet imports Dutch minimalism to the Oregon wilderness. Its sleek, simple form is clad in blackened timber. A warm wood entry leads into a whitewashed interior. Clean lines are defined by contrasting black trim and angled ceilings. A 16th-century Dutch painting from the Riks Museum in Amsterdam breaks up the monochromatic pallet. Rather than hanging on the walls, the masterpiece was printed on fabric and used to upholster a large section, transforming an Ikea sofa into a unique work of art.

Photos: Mikola Accuardi / Caseowrk

Ben's Barn

Mixing salvaged materials with sustainable components, Ben's Barn brings the past into the present to reimagine the New England farmhouse. The current property was formerly occupied by an old 19th-century house and a barn. Its granite foundation now lines the exterior landscaping while new Maine cedar planks and a steel roof form the facade. On the inside, original timber roofing and wood cladding were repurposed for the new construction along with cabinetry and fixtures from a nearby mid-century modern teardown. Its exposed framework is a combination of reclaimed and new timbers. Raw steel beams and polished concrete floors offer an industrial counterpoint to the otherwise rustic aesthetic.

Photos: Caleb Johnson Studio

Icelandic Lava Stone & Moss Candles

With its active volcanoes and massive glaciers, Iceland is known for having one of the most surreal landscapes on the planet. The Icelandic Lava Stone & Moss Candles embody that rugged spirit by infusing a part of its homeland in each one. The candles are handmade from native soy wax and are infused with the scent of cinnamon apple. Pieces of the wild terrain are featured in the wax with a mixture of local 2000-year old lava stones, Rowan berries, and Icelandic moss. The set includes two candles — one with lava stones and Rowan berries and one with Icelandic moss and Rowan berries — each with a burning time of 80 hours.

Ships as a set of 2 candles.

Height: 4" / Diameter: 3"

Bing Crosby's Palm Springs House

Built by the "White Christmas" singer in 1957, Bing Crosby's Palm Springs House was a playground for the Old Hollywood elite. The ranch-style home is sited on 1.14 acres in the Thunderbird Heights community in Rancho Mirage. Its interior offers 6,700 square feet of living space that features five bedrooms that have hosted everyone from Frank Sinatra to our 35th President. There's even an entire section known as the JFK wing. Like a true party pad, the inside seamlessly transitions to an outdoor pool area where a covered veranda affords expansive views of the desert landscape and the mountains in the distance.

Photos: Douglas Elliman Real Estate

Portola Valley Barn

With a barn-like exterior, the Portola Valley Barn pays homage to its pastoral surroundings while offering a contemporary California retreat within its weathered walls. The structure sits away from the main house, supplying a separate office, home theater, and guest suite to the property. Each space is housed in its own timber-clad unit. The three wings are joined by darkened connectors containing a kitchen and a powder room. Internally, clean lines and a refined palette provide a modern contrast to the rolling landscapes showcased through the generous glazed openings.

Photos: Matthew Millman / Walker Warner Architects