RESIDE Blog

From traditional Finnish design to high-end finishes and tech, saunas are a sanctuary in the home, writes Emma Reynolds Varsinais Suomi, Finland | Finland Sotheby’s International Realty Forget a wine cellar or car showroom; saunas are the ultimate status-defining amenity in today’s luxury home. While neither new nor novel—the ancient Finnish tradition dates back millennia—in recent years, saunas have skyrocketed into mainstream wellness culture, propelled by mounting scientific evidence linking traditional sauna use to muscle recovery and cardiovascular benefits and reduced inflammation. The current sauna revival extends beyond health benefits alone. It’s reshaping how people socialize, relax and live together. In major cities such as London and New York, urban bathhouses are emerging as social gathering spaces among screen-fatigued, health-conscious young professionals seeking community. Meanwhile, biohacking trends and the interest in preventative health and longevity are an increasing influence on at-home amenities, like the sauna, among homebuyers across generations. Luxury buyers are commissioning custom saunas for their homes as essential design features, with some installations even commanding six-figure budgets. Ilene Chase, a Chicago-based interior designer, says her high-net-worth clients are prioritizing wellness suites in both their primary and vacation properties. North Holland, Netherlands | Netherlands Sotheby’s International Realty “Our homes dictate the lives we lead,” Chase says. “When we bridge extraordinary design with high-level wellness, we’re sculpting a spiritual sanctuary. There is something deeply personal about recovery in the privacy of your own home. You have the luxury of being completely unobserved. This is where the real work happens.” If traditional Finnish saunas are the design blueprint, today’s high-end versions are the architectural evolution. Standard saunas generally follow a Finnish design template, incorporating wood cladding (usually pine or spruce), a central stone stove, tiered benches and airtight insulation. Where design-focused commissions diverge is in materials and intention. Luxury installations may swap or integrate softwoods for cedar or thermally modified hardwoods; incorporate floor-to-ceiling glass walls, ergonomic seating and integrated artwork; or include tech-driven features, such as red light panels, chromotherapy lighting, aromatherapy, or savvy speaker systems Uusimaa Finland | Finland Sotheby’s International Realty Finland is the sauna capital of the world, where the habit is inscribed into the list of UNESCO Intangible Culture Heritage. So it comes as no surprise that this remote contemporary residence on the secluded island of Sorpo in southwest Finland is outfitted with two spacious and modern saunas, one in the main residence and another overlooking the Archipelago Sea. Between sessions, residents can take a dip in the water to reap the benefits of hot and cold contrast therapy. Jasper Pääkkönen, founder of Helsinki’s renowned Löyly eco-sauna and AITO, which crafts authentic Finnish saunas, emphasizes outdoor positioning whenever possible. “Saunas are used far more when placed outdoors in a garden or by a pool,” Pääkkönen says. “It’s a completely different experience when you’re overlooking nature—the calming and relaxing effect is much stronger. Having said that, if your home doesn’t have the outdoor space for a sauna, a bathroom sauna is better than no sauna at all.” Riga, Latvia | Latvia Sotheby’s International Realty The historic 19th-century Manor Zēluste is just 30 minutes from Latvia’s capital Riga, yet feels worlds away. The nine-acre property set along Lake Jugla has been thoughtfully renovated with modern amenities, while retaining its original architectural features. The property also has two saunas: a glass-walled space overlooking an indoor pool and a rustic wooden-barrel sauna outside beside a tranquil pond. They are also a must for high-end ski properties. This 6.5 acre Aspen estate sits within the gated Starwood community, in a prime position overlooking Ajax and Mount Sopris. The modern mountain home has just about every amenity, but the wellness offering particularly shines. A luxe home spa rivals five-star resorts with an infrared sauna, cold plunge, steam room and gym. Aspen, Colorado | Aspen Snowmass Sotheby’s International Realty Meanwhile, a designer-done residence in the Netherlands pairs traditional architecture with modern, warm and textural interiors. The highlight of the lower-level wellness wing is a luxury sauna with soothing ambient lighting and decorative mosaic tiling that brings an artistic element to any relaxation routine. For Pääkkönen, and most Finns, saunas are designed above all for connection. “The most beautiful moments in a sauna are social, shared either with my wife and children or with good friends,” he says. “There is something magical about sweating it out in a hot room with others. It creates very honest, sincere and authentic human connections.” Read our guide to the ultimate wellness features to install in your luxury home

A striking Santa Fe estate once owned by legendary actor Gene Hackman has sold in record time, capturing a buyer after just one month on the market. Set within the gated Santa Fe Summit and surrounded by more than 53 acres of pristine high‑desert landscape, a remarkable estate once owned by acclaimed actor Gene Hackman has changed hands after only one month on the market. The property went into contract in just eight days, with Tara Earley and Ricky Allen of Sotheby’s International Realty – Santa Fe Brokerage representing the seller, and Chris Pearson Kramer of Sotheby’s International Realty – Santa Fe Brokerage representing the buyer. Its swift sale speaks to the rare blend of design, setting, and serenity that defines this singular property. Santa Fe, New Mexico | Ricky Allen, Tara Earley, Chris Pearson Kramer Tucked just 15 minutes from the Plaza yet worlds away in atmosphere, the residence was conceived by architect Ed Boniface and built by Doug McDowell. Glass, stone, and steel create a quiet, sculptural presence that settles naturally into its hillside. Inside, the materials continue the dialogue with the outdoors. Floor-to-ceiling windows pull vast views—from the Jemez Mountains to the distant edge of Colorado—directly into the living spaces, giving the home a shifting, cinematic quality as light moves across the terrain. The main residence unfolds through a series of spacious, fluid rooms designed for both reflection and gathering. A grand living room anchors the core of the home, accompanied by a generous dining area and a warm, wood-lined library. The primary suite forms its own retreat with a sitting area, office, dual closets, and spa-like baths that open to the landscape. Below, a gym, game room, and media room provide additional layers of livability while maintaining the home’s understated aesthetic. Across the property, two additional structures extend its versatility. A three-bedroom guest house offers privacy and comfort for visitors, while a large studio stands ready for art, music, yoga, or other creative pursuits. Thoughtfully positioned outdoor spaces encourage time spent in the open air: a pool suited for early swims, terraces placed for taking in the changing sky, a secluded putting green bordered by native plantings, and an enclosed hot tub where city lights shimmer in the distance. Garages with room for six vehicles complete the compound. As the estate begins its next chapter, its sale underscores the continued appeal of thoughtfully designed homes that offer both a strong connection to the landscape and access to the cultural centers. Properties that strike this balance remain highly sought after, and this residence stands as a clear example of how architecture, setting, and livability can come together in a way that continues to resonate across the market. Discover luxury homes for sale and rent around the world on sothebysrealty.com

The 2026 Luxury Outlook® report, published by Sotheby’s International Realty on January 7, 2026, includes data from the 2026 Sotheby’s International Realty® agent survey, a comprehensive poll of the brand’s luxury real estate agents and franchise owners. The survey reveals that global luxury home prices grew by a healthy 7% on average in 2025. The gains were led by an eye‑catching 43% increase in the Middle East and Africa, fueled by exceptional double‑digit growth in Dubai. Asia and the Caribbean also performed strongly, rising 10.3% and 7.2% respectively. Meanwhile, markets across Europe, South/Latin America, and North America remained steady during the same period. Forecasts for 2026 suggest continued stability, with global luxury home price growth predicted to average 2.9% for the year. Luxury prices in the Middle East and Africa and Asia are expected to grow by 7.9% and 6.6% respectively, followed by a 5.7% price rise in Oceania, completely reversing the region’s 5.7% drop in 2025. Growth is also predicted for Europe (1.3%) and South and Latin America (1.6%). Meanwhile, slight falls in North America (-1.6%) and the Caribbean (-1.4%) signal opportunity for high-end buyers. Cover Property: Dubai, united Arab Emirates

From headline-making Ming pieces to elegant, accessible ceramics, Chinese art brings exquisite artisanship and a tangible connection to the past to any serious collection, writes Katie Armstrong A rare famille-rose “peony, magnolia and peach blossom” vase (Tianqiuping), seal mark and period of Yongzheng. Photograph: Sotheby’s When a tiny Ming dynasty fine-porcelain “chicken cup”, measuring just 8cm wide, sold for a whopping HK$281 million (US$36.3 million) at Sotheby’s Hong Kong in 2014, it was the highest ever auction price achieved for Chinese porcelain at the time. Record-breaking, certainly, but its new owner, Shanghai collector Liu Yiqian, seemed fearless about other breakages, given he was soon pictured drinking tea from his recently acquired (and incredibly rare) cup. Which other auction category gives collectors the opportunity to use objects, even momentarily, as they would have first been used hundreds or thousands of years ago? At Sotheby’s, the Chinese Art department consigns Chinese art dating back to the Shang dynasty of around 1600B.C. right through to contemporary pieces. A rare Qianlong ‘dragon and cloud’ vase sold at Sotheby’s New York in March 2025. Photograph: Sotheby’s “It’s a rare category in that lots of different types of objects are sold, everything from ritual bronzes, furniture, porcelain, ceramics, lacquer, cloisonné and jade,” says Tristan Bruck, vice president and specialist, Chinese works of art, at Sotheby’s New York. While live and online sales are held throughout the year and across the globe, the upcoming Chinese Art sale on March 25 at Sotheby’s New York will be a brilliant showcase of the category’s range. “A lot of the focus is on the decorative wares,” says Bruck of auction interest and activity. Each imperial Chinese dynasty produced different styles and types of decorative objects. The Ming dynasty (1368-1644) is well known for its blue and white porcelain, while imperial ceramics from the Qing dynasty (1644-1912), especially those with the marks of the Emperors Kangxi, Yongzheng and Qianlong, are also highly coveted by collectors. Though pieces created for an emperor command a particularly high price, many other items including those made for scholars, officials and merchants can be more accessible. The enormous artistic output of China’s artisans also allowed for much of it to be exported, and collections of Chinese art are found across the world. “You can still see Chinese blue and white porcelain, intended for the Ottoman court, in Istanbul,” says Bruck, “and we see some in the Mughal courts of India and Iran too. In later periods, a lot of these pieces were exported to Europe and, in the early 19th century, even to North America.” The “chicken cup” which sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong in 2014. Photograph: Sotheby’s These two ends of the market meet at a common point—objects were made to be used, and often still are. Take that record-breaking chicken cup, a bowl named for the rooster, hen and chicks on its side, which represented core values of the period, such as nurturing the young. “There are collectors who may not buy the most expensive objects, but they are living with them,” says Brucks—just as emperors did. Traditionally, the market for Chinese art was driven by wealthy collectors based in Europe and the Americas, including prolific collectors such as the Rockefellers. Early 20th-century pioneers for integrating Chinese porcelain into Western interiors, the family’s notable collection of some 300 rare examples of Chinese art is still housed at the Asia Society Museum in New York today. A growing number of today’s buyers are younger, often with Chinese heritage. For any interested collector, Bruck’s advice is simple: “You should buy things that you love, that you have a connection with. The category really rewards people that have put the time in to appreciate and closely inspect the pieces.” Sotheby’s regularly holds Asian art exhibitions, both selling and non-selling, in New York, Hong Kong and Paris. Photograph: Sotheby’s March’s sale, the first of Chinese Art in Sotheby’s newly reopened Breuer Building in Manhattan, provides the perfect opportunity to explore. Among the top lots is a Guan dish from the Southern Song dynasty (1127-1279). “It’s one of those examples of the very minimalist aesthetic and has this beautiful intentional crackle to the glaze, in a manner that was really appreciated by the Song emperors,” says Bruck. A blue and white porcelain jar from the Xuande reign (1425-1435) of the Ming dynasty will also be available at an estimate of US$1.5-1.8 million. The jar is both an archetypal representation of Ming porcelain par excellence and a possibly unique example bearing the emperor’s reign mark. Regardless of their provenance, the constant place of these objects in everyday lives is a fascinating insight into their history. “You feel like you’re transported back in time,” says Bruck. “That you have a connection to these objects—they’re not just ancient things.” Our Collecting Focus series also features expert advice on contemporary art, jewelry, watches, wine, rare whisky, historic books, fashion history, natural history and Americana