expensive Archives - Mama Home Decor

April 22, 2023

What lighting makes a home look expensive? 5 ideas from the designers in the know

What lighting makes a home look expensive? Kitchen with dark wood paneling, island and dining table. Purple bathroom with gold fixtures. White bedroom with two low hanging pendant lights

Never underestimate the importance of good lighting in interior design.

The right lighting ideas can transform a dull, dark room into one filled with warmth and inviting, cozy character – and lighting that makes a home look expensive will only elevate your design scheme to elegant new heights.

5 ways you can beautifully enhance the lighting in your home

‘Designing luxury lighting is like casting actors in a play. There will be many important supporting roles but only one or two stars. The key is getting the players working together so you only depend on one to sell the show,’ says interior designer, Julie Brown.

Beautiful lighting doesn’t always have to cost the earth, good interior lighting is so much more than simply purchasing a pretty pendant; from material to placement and color temperature, there are many factors to consider.

We have asked a collection of design experts for their top tips on how you can make your home feel that little bit more luxurious and refined through a successful and beautiful lighting scheme.

1. Use multiple light sources in each space

Kitchen-diner with dark wooden paneling, round marble table, kitchen island, two pendant lights

‘By using multiple sources of light, you can create a sense of richness and complexity that instantly elevates the overall look and feel of the home,’ advises Reinis Butka, Luminesy lighting expert.

From a mix of spotlights and low hanging pendants for kitchen lighting ideas, to cozy table lamps and floor lamps in a living room, a thoughtful blend of the beautiful and the practical will create an adaptable lighting scheme that is both inviting and incredibly functional.

NYC-based interior designer, James Stanley also comments, ‘it is essential to use a mix of light sources. The combination of ambient, task, and accent lighting is what sets the mood for a room. Ambient lighting provides overall illumination to a room, and it can come from natural light, overhead fixtures, or wall-mounted sconces. Task lighting on the other hand, is meant to provide focused light for specific activities such as reading or cooking. Accent lighting is then used to highlight certain features such as artwork or architectural details.’

2. A luxurious and unique use of materials

White bedroom with two low hanging concrete pendants, bed with artwork mounted above

From sleek, sculptural metal structures, to colorful, tactile lampshades, choose lighting that creates artistic, eye-catching focal points through a luxurious and unique use of materials.

‘The quality of lighting materials is crucial in making a home look expensive. Choosing high-quality fixtures with elegant design elements and finishes such as brass, gold, or chrome, help to elevate the look of a space by becoming a statement piece in the room. Recessed, trim-less LED fixtures are also a must for a tailored, chic look,’ says interior designer, James Stanley.

Charlie Bowles, director of Original BTC, supports this further and says, ‘natural materials with interesting patinas such as weathered bronze, copper and brass are the best choices as they’re low maintenance and can age beautifully.’

3. Plenty of warm light

Living room with botanical hanging tapestry, floor light, colorful upholstered floral lounge chair

‘The right color temperature can make a space feel cozy, welcoming, and elegant. Warm light bulbs provide soft, golden tones that create a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere. It is essential to avoid harsh, cool light, which can make a room feel sterile and uninviting,’ says James Stanley.

Of course, there are some areas of the home, such as bathrooms and kitchens, that benefit from practical, bright white light, but as we have discussed, a mixture of multiple light sources is key, and warm lighting can help make a room feel instantly inviting, cozy and calm with the flick of a switch.

‘Incorporating dimmer switches allows for greater control over the intensity of the light, making it easy to adjust the mood and ambiance depending on the occasion,’ advises Reinis Butka.

For further advice and guidance, we explore lighting temperature basics in our dedicated feature.

4. Place decorative, inviting lighting in practical places

Dark purple bathroom with ornate golden mirror, golden wall light

From beautiful bathroom chandelier ideas, to a set of stylish wall lights in a hallway or entryway, uplifting transitional and more practical areas of the home with luxurious lighting will establish a wonderfully chic and inviting space.

Scarlett Hampton, co-founder of lights&lamps explains, ‘we have seen a great response to our bathroom lighting. People are becoming more adventurous in the design of their bathrooms and so designing lighting that complements those schemes and pushes the boundaries of what is ‘normally’ seen in these spaces is a trend that we will continue to fulfil.’

5. The perfect placement

Large white dining room with beige scalloped rug, wooden dining table, low hanging pendant

Whether it’s a low hanging pendant light placed above a dining table for dining room lighting ideas, or a floor lamp positioned perfectly beside a sofa or armchair, creating a cozy reading nook, the thoughtful positioning of lighting across your home will only help you to use and enjoy your space in the best way possible.

‘The right placement of light fixtures can make a room feel spacious, inviting, and elegant. The use of hidden lighting, such as under-cabinet lighting, can also provide a subtle touch of warmth and sophistication’ says interior designer, James Stanley.

Shop our top lighting picks

Larkspur Single Sconce

Defined by an elegant, coastal look, this pretty wall lamp is available in classic brass or sleek white, and features an elegant, hand-wrapped rattan shade.

Orta Cone Table Lamp

A real statement piece, this table lamp is defined by minimal, sleek clean lines and a blend of rich, industrial finishes, adding a beautiful, graphic accent to a space.

101 Copenhagen Salon Chandelier

Inspired by Art Deco, Salon is crafted from six illuminating lampshades, elegantly positioned in a lightweight metal frame. A simple, sculptural design, the beautiful design is available in two different sizes.

Kalani Pendant Light

A calming, curvaceous silhouette, beautifully crafted from wicker, this timeless pendant offers a subtle sense of movement and beautiful character to wherever it is placed.

Ingram Vanity Sconce

Featuring brushed brass and polished nickel, this vanity sconce brings glamour to any type of bathroom – master, guest, or powder room.

Alma Floor Light

A collaboration between Original BTC and Swedish interior designer Beata Heuman, the Alma Floor Light nods to mid-century Scandinavian design, featuring a hand-painted shade with 41 hand-made holes; looking like little glowing stars at night.

FAQs

Which lights make your room the most cozy?

A layered lighting scheme that creates multiple pools of warming, inviting light will make a room feel incredibly cozy and calming.

Table lamps and floor lamps are often best for providing a softer more gentle lighting atmosphere, and are ideal for use in a bedroom or living room.

When deciding on which color temperature is best for a cozy feel, opt for a warm white between 2600K-3200K.

Other light sources such as pretty string lights and candles can also help to create a wonderfully inviting ambience.

‘When it comes to making a home look expensive, lighting plays a crucial role in setting the tone and ambiance of a room. Lighting not only illuminates a space but also impacts the overall aesthetic and feel of a room,’ says James Stanley.

A successful and luxurious lighting scheme should work hard to efficiently light up your home through an adaptable range of different light sources, as well as enrich your design scheme with further texture, color, shape and style.

April 13, 2023

What storage makes a house look expensive? 7 five-star looks |

There is a multitude of interior design elements to consider when you’re redecorating and redesigning your home, but few are as important as your chosen storage ideas. The right storage doesn’t just have the power to upgrade a space with personality and create a long-lasting impression; it can also make a room look more expensive and refined, which is a big win when you’re decorating on a smaller budget.

Here, designers, decorators, and experts reveal how to approach choosing the best storage ideas to restore calm, provide display space and be suitably chic.

What storage makes a house look expensive?

If you want to make a home look expensive, it is important to think cleverly about storage solutions. Where budgets permit, redesigning your room storage ideas is an often-overlooked design intervention. Done well and the result can be a lasting design legacy; one that can make a house look expensive.

1. Go for a larder with living room looks

Kitchen storage made from American walnut with LED lighting

(Image credit: Lanserring)

Clever and time-efficient kitchen storage decisions are particularly important in this family space. When designing a kitchen, start with an audit of kitchenware.

‘Working out which items you use every day and those that are for special occasions will help determine how much and what type of storage you need,’ says Dave Young, founder, of Husk.

Cull any redundant items if you want to make a kitchen look expensive. If you’re not lacking worktop space, Dave also recommends making room for a row of floor-to-ceiling built-in cupboards. ‘They use the dead space below the ceiling and are large enough to conceal all your gadgets, where they can be plugged in, easy to access and ready to use.

Here, this bespoke Pickling Cabinet by Lanserring (opens in new tab) is an exquisite example of larders that are taking design cues from living room furniture. It is crafted from American walnut, patinated brass and marble, with slatted sliding screens offering glimpses of lighted internal spaces.

2. Curate bespoke display shelfs worthy of showing off

Modern dining room with display storage shelves

(Image credit: Alice Lane Interiors / Nicole Gerulat Photography)

This beautiful wall of bespoke joinery painted in a pale beige hue is hugely characterful and provides plenty of open and closed storage. The finishing touch was the lighting. Without the right lighting, it could end up looking dull and uninteresting, so a blend of wall and overhead lighting was needed to create the right balance of atmosphere and practicality.

‘We used an on-trend cream color scheme for this well-lit dining-cum-living space’ says Jessica Bennett (opens in new tab), founder and principal designer for Alice Lane Interiors. ‘The aim was to create a talking point, transforming it into a place for displaying favorite objects and art.’

Jessica Bennett

Jessica started her creative journey at Utah State University. Her studies there led to her work in an ad agency as an art director but building her home brought back her earliest passion: interior design and trends.

3. Invest in a richly layered look

Bespoke bathroom storage in walnut

(Image credit: Waterworks)

Keeping order with your bathroom storage is more than just functionality. This space should be beautiful, too.

‘A good bathroom design should emphasize the unique qualities of the space,’ says interior designer Emma Merry. ‘This often means we commission bespoke furniture to maximize every inch of storage potential.’

Rooms with unusual shapes may make a custom solution the only option, or you may want a design with detailing tailored to suit your scheme. Identify your storage needs, research pictures of styles and obtain quotes from a shortlist of joiners.

‘It’s the combination of the materials and the layering effect that makes a scheme interesting,’ says Peter Sallick, CEO and creative director, of Waterworks (opens in new tab). ‘In this space, the choice of walnut creates warmth and richness, cane brings texture and lightness, and the cool modernity of marble surfaces and nickel taps adds balance.’ A tall wardrobe allows this bathroom to double as a dressing area, while providing storage for robes and towels, and the vanity cupboards are designed for toiletries.

4. Conceal a TV with bespoke joinery

Living room with hidden TV behind art

(Image credit: Studio Ashby)

If you are trying to make a living room look expensive, then you may be wondering how to stylishly hide a TV.

The TV is a ubiquitous presence in sitting rooms but its black reflective screen is regarded as an eyesore by decorators. The most common solution is to house it in a specially designed living room storage cabinet, but it’s not the only one. At first glance, this room looks colorful and bold using Studio Ashby’s signature mix of antiques, bespoke pieces and contemporary design. The surprise is that the art can slide aside revealing the TV behind.

‘The TV must never be on show; that’s one of our rules at Studio Ashby,’ says founder and creative director Sophie Ashby (opens in new tab). ‘In every project, we’ll commission joinery to conceal it like in this project in London’s Mayfair, where we’ve used this beautiful Jack Penny artwork to hide the TV.’

Sophie Ashby

Sophie Ashby is the founder and creative director of Studio Ashby. Having studied interior design at the famous Parsons, The New School in Manhattan, Sophie honed her skills over the years with strong mentorship.

Ashby’s aim is to bring authenticity and thought to each project, not only in the selection of furniture, lighting, and art but in its use of a natural palette of materials and textures.

5. Add shimmering details to your pantry storage

Beige pantry storage with gold handles

(Image credit: Heidi Caillier / Haris Kenjar Photography)

Picture-perfect and packed with stylish features, there’s more to pantry storage than meets than eye. Unsung heroes of the home, multi-functional pantries play an important role in taking the pressure off the kitchen, but there is no reason why they cannot be both practical and beautiful.

‘Luxury touches and personalized details are gaining ground as clients afford their pantries the same status as their main kitchen,’ says Heidi Caillier (opens in new tab), owner of Heidi Caillier Design. ‘Here, a simple yet timeless color scheme, gold hardware and plenty of marble have the added advantage of keeping bread, cheese, and charcuterie at the perfect ambient temperature.’ A fantastic choice if you want to make a pantry look expensive.

Heidi Caillier

Heidi Caillier Design is a full-service interior design firm, with a project portfolio spanning the US and beyond. Heidi’s design philosophy is based on the belief that homes should be comfortable and livable while at the same time beautiful and curated.

6. Make use of the space under the stairs with a pull-out

Modern under stair storage with pull out door

(Image credit: Echlin)

For the space savvy, under-stairs ideas are just what you need to ensure one of the most cumbersome parts of the house goes from a fiddly nook to an unexpected feature.

‘Under-stairs cupboards can be a lifesaver, a nightmare, or somewhere between the two,’ says Steve Clinch, head architect at Echlin. Consider how to use the additional depth. ‘Stairs are 31 or 35 in wide – much deeper than kitchen cupboards at 60cm,’ says Steve. The staircase in this project was in the first-floor living area which led to a roof terrace so it made sense to create a pull-out bar.

‘The pull-out nature allowed us to orient the storage in the other direction, giving us a shelf depth of 15in. We then had to balance the weight of the mechanisms, so it didn’t pull out too quickly.’ The rest of the storage was split either side of the bar, one providing access to services, the other a space for outdoor cushions.

7. Go bespoke with a custom vanity

Modern bathroom with wood vanity storage unit

(Image credit: Shalini Misra / Mel Yates Photography)

Commissioning a custom-made double vanity is the smart way to achieve your dream piece, says interior designer Shalini Misra (opens in new tab), who based this unusual vanity design on vintage furniture from a French hair salon.

‘The joy of a bespoke vanity is that it can be made to your precise requirements, from dimensions to the amount and type of storage included, making it something that is really unique to you,’ she adds.

Shalini Misra

Internationally celebrated interior architect, designer and property developer, Shalini Misra, has been creating spaces since she founded her practice over 20 years ago. Shalini qualified architect at the Delhi School of Architecture and Planning (SPA) in India, and specialized in Urban Planning at the University of Columbia in New York, before studying Virtual Reality in Architecture at the Bartlett School of Architecture in London.

FAQs

Should I invest in bespoke cabinetry?

Yes, bespoke cabinetry is a worthwhile investment.

‘Built-in cabinetry is not only an investment and will hopefully add value to your property but is also personal to you as you will be living with it every day,’ says cabinetmaker Ed Keyser. Although more expensive than shelving, drawers, visible or behind doors, are a much more efficient way of storing and accessing items. If drawers are not possible, then sourcing (during the design stage) boxes or baskets which fit into the cabinetry is a good option, especially for deep or hard-to-access spaces.

A final expert tip is to use any existing architecture to make a house look expensive. If there is a nook or a niche in a room, use it. ‘Make awkward corners a point of interest,’ says Camilla Clarke of Albion Nord.

‘Don’t be afraid to use unusual furniture pieces: a bookshelf doesn’t have to be a bookshelf, you can stack books on a bar cart, on the fireplace mantel, or on a windowsill. Be sure to light the shelving or book storage area, too, as this will ensure it becomes something of a decorative focal point for the eyes.

April 9, 2023

What colors make a house look expensive? 6 five-star colors |

There is a multitude of interior design elements to consider when you’re redecorating your home, but few are as important as your chosen room colors. The right color doesn’t just have the power to upgrade a space with personality and create a long-lasting impression; it can also make a room look more expensive and refined, which is a big win when you’re decorating on a smaller budget.

Here, designers, decorators, and experts reveal how to approach choosing room color ideas to make a house look expensive, from using the color wheel to create strong color combinations to using accent shades that sing and timeless neutrals.

What colors make a house look expensive?

Color is one of the easiest ways to create a visual story in your home. Creating a luxurious and expensive-looking house using color should be a multisensory experience; a visual masterpiece that still maintains the liveability that you desire.

1. Embrace the quiet beauty of beige

Beige living room with texture

(Image credit: Becca Interiors)

It’s fair to say that at Homes & Gardens, we’ve been championing vivid interior schemes and bold decorating ideas for some time, but a neutral backdrop can enable beautiful architecture, decorative furniture, and bespoke artwork to make a true style statement within your home. Sophisticated and timeless in their simplicity, beige room ideas are a stalwart in the world of interiors. The soft neutral – we love it for its quiet beauty and versatility – get it right, and it’s a failsafe way to make a house look more expensive.

Using a white or natural palette is all about adding depth and contrast in different layers and textures, says Jane Landino, creative head of the studio at Taylor Howes. ‘To make a neutral palette feel designed, considered, and luxurious it’s important to mix and match patterns, albeit neutral ones, and occasional bursts of color.

For Becca Casey (opens in new tab), founder of Becca Interiors, beige instantly brings gravitas. ‘Beige represents purity, innocence, and new beginnings, as well as cleanliness and clarity. It can be used everywhere in the home but is very successful in any room where you want to create order and with little distraction. It is also an ideal foil for a well-curated room of art and furniture.’

‘I gravitate towards natural palettes, and materials too, as for me they bring a certain longevity and luxuriousness to design,’ she adds.

Becca Casey

Owner and principal designer Becca Casey grew up in the English countryside, before eventually moving to the other side of the Atlantic and launching her design career in New York City. Currently based in Connecticut where she leads her interior design firm, Becca brings her style – rooted in the UK – to homes across the US.

2. Add impact with contrasting color

hall with wooden floor with colorful geometric design, mid century style chairs with green pattern and green woodwork

(Image credit: Katie Charlotte)

The addition of an accent color is a quick and easy way to transform a space, define an area, or highlight architectural elements, believes Ruth Mottershead of Little Greene. ‘If you’re lucky enough to have wonderful architectural details such as archways, moldings, or picture rails in your home, paint is the perfect way to highlight them to create a design detail.’

A simple pop of contrasting color on a door or skirting is a great way to add impact and an element of surprise to an otherwise muted scheme. This popular color trend will not only make a space feel considered and curated, but also expensive and luxurious.

Finally, says the American decorator Cortney Bishop (opens in new tab), don’t be afraid to bring in an accent color to unexpected places. ‘Consider applying a lively hue to a bathroom vanity unit or painting your interior doors or trim with a contrasting color that makes your walls stand out even more,’ suggests Cortney. ‘The transition and break in color will be more welcoming than you might think when transitioning between rooms.’

3. Be inspired by nature with an earthy green

L-shaped kitchen with green cabinets and wood floor

(Image credit: Jessica Nelson Design / Carina Skrobecki Photography)

Botanical tones work with most shades to create rooms that are harmonious and easy to live with. Green is in general a heritage, calming and relaxing color. Being the color that represents nature, it’s one that makes us feel good and positive.

‘The poet and philosopher Goethe used to describe green as a useful color, a good color to have around,’ explains Francesca Wezel, founder of Francesca’s Paints. ‘Dark green is often used in traditional gentlemen’s clubs and libraries, it goes well with wood, and is a color that stimulates concentration and deep thinking.’

‘This is a wonderful color that works well all through the year and is ideal if you are trying to bring an element of nature or heritage feel into a more contemporary city home,’ says Emma Sims-Hilditch, founder and creative director, Sims Hilditch. ‘It’s an expensive-looking, restful, and calming shade which not only works well on cabinetry but also looks great on walls.’

4. Adopt a heritage yellow

Yellow and purple kitchen by deVOL

(Image credit: deVOL)

Embrace the warmth and mood-boosting power of sunny tones for a happy, vibrant feel. There is an air of heritage and nostalgia with yellow that makes a house look expensive.

At the lighter, bolder end of the spectrum, yellow is a color of optimism. ‘Yellow can create a mellow and uplifting interior all at the same time. It transports us back to long lazy sun-drenched days in the Mediterranean and it can brighten us up on gloomy days,’ says Martin Waller of global design brand Andrew Martin.

But yellow can be a tricky color to master, says Mike Fisher, creative director and founder of Studio Indigo (opens in new tab). ‘In particular, bright primary yellow, as it can be quite harsh and childlike within an interior despite its sunny, positive connotations.’ He likes to use darker yet richer fall versions of yellows in an ochre or saffron hue which work well with petrol blues and purples.

If you want to curate an expensive space, look to a range of yellowish colors which have a depth to them: they work well in bright, south-facing rooms where they can turn the air into something tangible and edible, while on a dull day they can add a sense of cheerfulness. A brighter yellow could be paired with splashes of green or orange.

5. Go for a strong, confident red

wellness bathroom with stone floor and neutral color scheme

(Image credit: That Home Studio)

One of the most passionate and life-enhancing colors to use in a decorating scheme, red rooms offer a luxurious bank of positive energy.

Historically, red has associations with wealth and status. In the 17th century, flashes of red dye were used on the soles of shoes worn by aristocratic courtiers to Louis XIV, while the use of a VIP red carpet goes back to Ancient Greece. Perhaps a present-day example of this might be the eye-catching interior design trend of using red in high gloss or lacquered finishes on woodwork.

‘We have been using red to decorate the walls of our homes from the beginning of human existence,’ explains Marianne Shillingford (opens in new tab), creative director of Dulux. ‘We find red on the walls of the earliest cave dwellers and red pigment was used in Neanderthal burials as a symbol of life. It has the longest visual wavelength of any color, making it the most impactful. It is famous for stimulating the appetite, good conversation, and love, making it an enduring favorite in the dining room and the bedroom,’ she continues.

Color-drenching a room with red walls and matching upholstery offers a fully immersive effect. In contrast, dialing down the red percentage to a discreet trim on white bedlinen or to the leading edge of a curtain can be equally as thrilling. ‘When using red in a color scheme, it’s best to choose shades that are rich and warm rather than loud and insistent. Maroon, burgundy, and rosehip work brilliantly with shades of green, while deep pinky-reds are very adaptable and blend well with khaki or stone. Dark reds pair best with gold metallic touches and carry a degree of heritage, especially when mixed with dark wood,’ says Simon Temprell, head of interior design at Neptune (opens in new tab).

6. Reintroduce brown to your home

neutral living room with textured wallpaper and brown curtains

(Image credit: Catherine Gratwicke / Future )

Decorating with brown is having a renaissance. This confident hue looks delicious as an all-over color, especially if you want to make a house look expensive.

‘Tell someone you are painting a room brown and watch them recoil in horror. However, this much-maligned color is a great choice for expensive-looking interiors,’ says Sarah Brown, director, of Sarah Brown Interiors (opens in new tab).

The nuances of brown are often underplayed but one look at this brown living room shows how complex and interesting the shade can be. Deeper than ochre and earthier than gold, this rich yet understated tone strikes a refined note in the living room. In north-facing rooms, it will create a cocooning field, and in brighter spaces, it allows the opportunity to layer other shades of brown for more impact.

FAQs

How do you pick the perfect house colors?

Picking the perfect house colors in a room can be a tricky business. Even with all their experience, it can take time for professionals to make a decision. There is a lot to consider – the size and shape of the space, the available natural light, its direction, who it is for, etc. ‘A large space can often handle a blanket of color that works with both north- and south-facing light,’ says Tom Morris of Morris Studio (opens in new tab). ‘If wall colors are strong, I tone down the colors in the furnishings or vice versa.’

The contemporary home is all about layerism – whether that’s tonal variations of color on different surfaces, a mix of patterns that playfully explore a particular palette, or a dynamic blend of textures. Two or three variations of each is enough to develop a richly pleasing space that is the last thing you see at night and the first thing the next day.

Another favored choice for designer is taupe. Reminiscent of velvety cocoa, a mid-brown taupe is a striking color for any room. Depending on the furniture and accent colors introduced alongside, it has the flexibility to range from looking neat and tailored to soft and welcoming.

‘For me, neutrals such as taupe are grounding wall colors,’ says Henriette Von Stockhausen, creative director, of VSP Interiors. ‘It’s important to remember that sometimes a classic and expensive-looking interior is just the ticket: calm colors, gentle schemes, traditional furniture, and antiques – no pattern clashes, no huge color pops, just comfort and a quiet space to relax in.’

February 9, 2023

The Most Expensive U.S. Real Estate Sales Of 2022

Billionaire Larry Ellison’s $173 million Palm Beach estate topped the list last year, along with a $100 million Malibu dream house bought by media mogul Byron Allen and a $75 million Beverly Hills mega-mansion owned by rap superstar Drake.

The luxury real market in America saw many record-breaking sales in 2022, including several north of $100 million. Among the billionaires undeterred by the economy last year was Oracle cofounder Larry Ellison who, after just missing 2021’s most expensive home sales list, topped the list in 2022 with the purchase of Netscape cofounder Jim Clark’s 16-acre compound in Manalapan, Florida for $173 million. Another trophy home collector, billionaire hedge fund manager Ken Griffin also added a new property to his collection last year with the purchase of a $107 million home in Miami. And rap superstar Drake is the sole entertainer on the list after buying a 20-acre estate in Beverly Hills.

On the global front, residential property sales slumped, but not everywhere. Numerous cities, regions and second-home destinations—including Arizona and Massachusetts as well as Dubai and Melbourne— notched record prices in 2022. Also, the strong dollar spurred some Americans to buy property in big European cities such as London, Paris and Lisbon.

Here are the most expensive and notable luxury homes sold in the U.S. in 2022 for which public records or reports are currently available.

google earth

$75 Million

Los Angeles, California

After shopping around for a new home in Los Angeles for months, Drake landed in the Beverly Hills area with a 20-acre estate, a size and scale unheard of in 90732. The 36-year-old artist bought the $75 million property in Benedict Canyon from English singer-songwriter Robbie Williams in March, four months before selling his Hidden Hills compound, affectionately known as “Yolo Estate,” for $12 million. Designed by L.A. architectural firm KAA Design Group, Drake’s new 20,000-square-foot mansion has 22 bathrooms, an 11-car garage and a wine cellar. The sprawling grounds also feature a mosaic-tiled pool, a tennis court and orchard.

Kenneth Grant/Alamy

$75.9 Million

New York, New York

Located in Manhattan’s Crown Building—home of the new Aman New York—the 6,791-square-foot residence known as the Jala Penthouse was purchased last July for $75.9 million. (The buyer was anonymous and identified only as Albatross Apartment LLC.) Spanning the entire 20th floor, the penthouse features four bedrooms and more than 3,700 square feet of outdoor landscaped terrace spaces replete with a pool and spa. The buyer was anonymous and identified only as Albatross Apartment LLC. The first home to the Museum of Modern Art, the Crown Building was converted into a luxury hotel on its lower floors, with 22 condos on the 15th to 26th floors.

Google Earth

$84.5 Million

East Hampton, New York

Billionaire financier Ronald Perelman sold one of his two East Hampton estates for $85.4 million amid an annus horribilus that saw Revlon’s largest shareholder declare bankruptcy for the cosmetics company in June. After being on and off the market since the summer of 2021, the beachfront property was sold to an anonymous buyer last January. The 11,435-square-foot estate sits on more than 9 acres off tony Lily Pond Lane. In addition to the sale, Perelman has also reportedly listed his Manhattan Upper Eastside townhouse for $115 million while rumors of his other historic Hamptons retreat, the Creeks, being for sale continued to circulate.

$86 Million

Palm Beach, Florida

Less than 10 months after selling for $64 million, an oceanfront property just north of the Palm Beach Country Club once again traded hands, this time for $86 million. The Bermuda-style estate first made headlines during its development phase after initial designs were deemed oversized for the 1.14-acre lot. In the end, the home was scaled back and completed by real estate investor and spec home developer Clark Beaty, who sold the property to Beechgreen LLC which then sold it to an undisclosed buyer last June. The estate encompasses about 18,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor living space and includes a wine cellar, gym and guest house.

google earth

$91 Million

Malibu, California

Closing in the last weeks of 2022, the $92 million sale of a 6.6-acre Malibu estate is the latest in a string of massive transactions to take place in Paradise Cove, including venture capitalist Marc Andreessen’s $177 million compound which topped the list in 2021. Originally listed for $125 million by sellers Jon Burton, a video game designer, and his ex-wife, Helen Musk, the couple purchased the property a decade before for $36.5 million from computer pioneer, Max Palevsky. Built in 1975, the Mediterranean estate offers private access to the beach, manicured gardens, a resort-like swimming pool and north/south lighted tennis court.

Google Earth

$92.8 Million

Golden Beach, Florida

Billionaire Phillip “Terry” Ragon, founder of technology company InterSystems, purchased three homes on Ocean Boulevard just north of Miami in a single transaction for a reported $92.8 million last June. The complex acquisition required negotiations with three sellers, including fashion photographer Bruce Weber and his wife, Nan Bush. The most expensive of the three properties, a six-bedroom, six-bathroom Spanish-style mansion built in 1936, sold for $45 million. Combined, the three properties total roughly 1.7 acres with about 275 feet of ocean frontage. Ragon also purchased a separate property in the area in 2021 for just under $20 million. According to the Wall Street Journal, Ragon intends to raze the beach houses and replace them with one home.

Google Earth

$100 Million

Malibu, California

In October, Public Storage executive and billionaire Tamara Gustavson sold her oceanside Malibu estate to media mogul Byron Allen for a $100 million. The 11,000-square-foot compound was formerly owned by B. Wayne Hughes, Gustavson’s late father, who co-founded Public Storage in 1972. Allen, the founder and CEO of Entertainment Studios, has quietly built an impressive real estate portfolio over the past few years that includes two side-by-side properties he purchased for $32 million eight months earlier. Set in the billionaire hive of Paradise Cove, Allen’s new neighbors include WhatsApp cofounder Jan Koum, who owns an adjacent $187 million compound.

no credit

$101 Million

New York, New York

Before his death in 2018, Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen had accumulated a wealth of real estate around the country, including two Manhattan co-ops that sold in July for a combined $101 million. Purchased by an anonymous buyer, Allen’s Upper East Side penthouse was sold with the full-floor unit directly below it. He reportedly obtained the penthouse in 2011 for $25 million and the 11th-floor unit nine years earlier for $13.5 million.

Google Earth

$106.9 Million

Miami, Florida

Hedge-fund billionaire Ken Griffin purchased a waterfront estate in Coconut Grove for $106.9 million last September, the first Miami home to eclipse nine figures. The seller, philanthropist Adrienne Arsht, the former head of TotalBank. Arsht built one of the two homes on the 4-acre estate. The second home, the Mediterranean style Villa Serena, was built in 1913 for former Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan. (It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2012.) Arsht purchased Villa Serena at the tail end of the 2000s for $12 million before completely restoring it. The property is one of many homes recently purchased by Griffin, who has reportedly spent more than $350 million assembling residential land in Palm Beach, where his hedge fund operation, Citadel, is opening an office.

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$120 Million

Los Angeles, California

In August, after more than a year of negotiations, UK real estate billionaire Ian Livingstone, sold his four-acre Holmby Hills estate to Snapchat CEO and cofounder Evan Spiegel. The villa-style home has parking for 20-plus cars, a formal dining room that seats 18, and a two-story library, a movie theater, a beauty salon and a pool. In addition to the main property, Spiegel also acquired a smaller parcel of land next door the year before for $25 million, making for an estate totaling $145 million. Located directly across the street from the former Playboy Mansion, the parcels were purchased by Livingstone in 2014 and 2017 for a combined $72 million.

Allen Schaben/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images

$126 Million

Beverly Hills, California

The Bel-Air mega-mansion known as The One finally got its big moment last year—but not as big as it could have been. The most heavily covered real estate deal of the year saw the home’s $295 million price tag plunge to $126 million at auction. Designed by architect Paul McClean, the hilltop home sold at auction to Fashion Nova founder Richard Saghian in March. At 105,000 square feet, the One is the largest residence in Los Angeles County. Amenities include a moat, a 4,000-square-foot guesthouse, a multiplex-size movie theater, multiple pools, a bowling alley and a spa. After almost a decade in development hell, the home remains unfinished and holds more than $250 million in claimed debts, according to reports, meaning many creditors faced significant—if not total—losses on the property. The One’s developer, Nile Niami, originally envisioned lavish amenties like a “jellyfish room” (with tanks of live sea creatures) and a bar made from a block of ice, neither of which were built. However there are multiple swimming pools, a 30-car garage, a movie theater, 21 bedrooms and 42 bathrooms.

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$173 Million

Manalapan, Florida

Netscape cofounder Jim Clark parted with a dual-waterfront compound last June for $173 million, setting a record for Florida home sales. The more than 30-bedroom compound purchased by Larry Ellison encompasses roughly 16 acres along the Atlantic Ocean and Lake Worth shorelines. The sale completely shattered the previous Florida record, which was set by Tiger Global Management cofounder Scott Shleifer when he purchased a Palm Beach mansion for $122.7 million in 2021. Previously owned by the Ziff Family, the Manalapan property was bought by Clark in March 2021 for $94 million. In addition to a 12-bedroom main house, the compound also features two beachside cottages, a seven-bedroom guesthouse and a furnished tunnel underneath South Ocean Boulevard for uninterrupted access to the water.

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January 18, 2023

the most expensive homes sold in 2022

2022 was a strange year for anyone looking to buy property in the Tampa Bay area. For the first half of the year, historically low interest rates fueled by the COVID-19 pandemic triggered a home buying frenzy.

“We saw multiple offers and homes selling over the list price,” said Jennifer Zales, an agent with Coldwell Banker Realty who sold several of the highest grossing homes of the year.

But by the third quarter, interest rates started going up. The volume of sales began to decrease and homes were no longer selling as quickly.

Even amid all the chaos, the luxury market remained strong.

“We achieved new highs in 2022 in areas like Davis Islands and along the beaches,” Zales said.

The Tampa Bay Times reviewed data from the Multiple Listing Service to find the top home sales of the year. The 10 most expensive homes brought in more than $110 million in total. Nine out of the top 10 were bought in cash.

According to a 2022 trend report from Coldwell Banker, one-third of affluent individuals surveyed believe that real estate is the safest investment one can make when compared to stocks, bonds, pensions, and cryptocurrency.

“I hear this sentiment consistently from my buyers, which is why I expect this end of the market to remain stable,” Zales said.

Take a look back at the most expensive homes sold in our region last year.

1. $15 million – 78 Adalia Ave., Tampa

The basics: This 7,017 square foot home is located on a 0.4-acre waterfront lot on Davis Islands. It was built in 2015 and has five bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms.

The agent: Jennifer Zales from Coldwell Banker was listed as the sole agent.

Special features: Inside you’ll find a state of the art kitchen with a separate catering kitchen and wine cellar, an elevator up to the second floor and a home gym complete with a sauna. The terrace has an outdoor kitchen, a waterfront infinity pool as well as a private dock. There’s also an eight-car garage equipped with electric vehicle charging stations.

This 5-bedroom, 4.5-bathroom home at 78 Adalia Dr. in Tampa sold for $15 million in 2022. It was the most expensive house sold in the Tampa Bay area last year. [ Tony Sica Photography ]

2. $13 million – 1761 Brightwaters Blvd. NE, St. Petersburg

The basics: This 8,234-square-foot home has five bedrooms, five full bathrooms and four half baths. It was built in 2022 on a 0.4-acre waterfront lot in the Snell Isle neighborhood.

The agents: Alexis Logan from Coldwell Banker was the listing agent. Chad Ramsey from Berkshire Hathaway HomeService was the selling agent.

Special features: The house includes an in-law suite with a kitchenette, an entertainment room with a pool table, a bar, a theater and a balcony with views of the bay and the St. Petersburg skyline. In the backyard you’ll find a pool, a spa, an outdoor kitchen and a private dock complete with a boat lift.

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1761 Brightwaters Blvd NE broke the record for most expensive home sold in the 33704 zip code. [ Tony Sica ]

3. $12.3 million – 48 Adalia Ave., Tampa

The basics: Built in 2004, this Davis Islands home has six bedrooms and 7.5 bathrooms. The house is 7,367 square feet and is on nearly 0.4 acres of bayfront property.

The agents: Jennifer Zales from Coldwell Banker was the listing agent. Heidi Odio and Kerry Lather from Compass Florida LLC were the selling agents.

Special features: This home has several additional living spaces including a formal dining room, first floor guest suite, executive den/office, gym and state-of-the-art media room. Outdoors there is an additional kitchen, a covered terrace, a pool, a private dock and a boat lift.

This home at 48 Adalia Dr. in Tampa sold for $12.3 million in 2022. It has six bedrooms and 7.5 bathrooms. [ Fastpix ]

4. $11.75 million – 1523 Oceanview Dr., Tierra Verde

The basics: This 9,463-square-foot home has six bedrooms and six full bathrooms and three half bathrooms. It is located on a 0.9-acre waterfront lot and was built in 2009.

The agent: Liz Heinkel with Smith & Associates was the listed as the sole agent.

Special features: There’s a billiard room and a movie theater with seating for 12. The outdoor area has a wood burning fireplace, a saltwater infinity pool and a pizza oven.

This is a 94,463 square foot home at 1523 Oceanview Dr. in Tierra Verde. It sold for $11.75 million in 2022. [ Tony Sica Photography ]

5. $10.8 million – 2621 N Dundee St., Tampa

The basics: This 8-bedroom, 9.5-bathroom house is 10,879 square feet in total. It was built in 2018 on a 0.9-acre lot in the Sunset Park neighborhood.

The agents: Jeff Shelton from Compass Florida LLC was the listing agent. Paul DeSantis from Premier Sotheby’s International Realty was the selling agent.

Special features: This home has a mediterranean style design with several terraces and handcrafted archways. The master suite has a dressing room with its own hidden entrance to the home gym.

This 8-bedroom, 9.5-bathroom home at 2621 N Dundee St. in Tampa sold for $10.8 million in 2022. [ Tony Sica Photography ]

6. $10. 7 million – 15802 Gulf Blvd., Reddington Beach

The basics: This new construction home was built in 2022 and has six bedrooms and 6.5 bathrooms. It is 8,500 square feet in total and is located on a 0.4-acre lot.

The agents: Michelle Fitz-Randolph from Coldwell Banker Realty is the listing agent. Jennifer Zales from Coldwell Banker Realty is the selling agent.

Special features: This home has 90 feet of water frontage and includes includes an elevator, and a 10-car garage.

This home at 15802 Gulf Blvd. in Reddington beach sold for $10.7 million in 2022. [ Michelle Fitz-Randolph ]

7. $9.95 million – 1997 Oceanview Dr., Tierra Verde

The basics: This is a 10,238-square-foot home with seven bedrooms, eight full bathrooms and two half bathrooms. It was built in 1999 and is located on a 0.7-acre lot.

The agents: Dania Perry from Century 21 Jim White & Associates was the listing agent. Robyn Gunn from Premier Sotheby’s International Realty was the selling agent.

Special features: The living room includes a built in saltwater aquarium and 23-foot high ceilings. There’s also a wine room, a game room and a theater room. The pool features a hot tub as well as a built in tiki bar.

1997 Oceanview Dr. in Tierra Verde has seven bedrooms, eight full bathrooms and two half bathrooms. It sold for $9.95 million. [ YourDigitalPro ]

8. $9.89 million – 38 Sandpiper Rd., Tampa

The basics: There are six bedrooms and 7.5 bathrooms in this 7,608-square-foot home. This South Tampa house was built in 2020 on a 0.2-acre waterfront lot.

The agent: Jennifer Zales from Coldwell Banker Realty was the sole agent.

Special features: Indoors you’ll find a wine cellar, a full bar, an elevator and a theater. Outdoors there’s an infinity pool and a boat dock.

38 Sandpiper Rd. is a 7,608 square foot home in Tampa. It sold for $9.89 million in 2022. [ Tony Sica Photography ]

9. $8.5 million – 5117 W Poe Ave., Tampa

The basics: This is a new construction home set to be built on a 0.29-acre waterfront lot in South Tampa. The home will be 6,500 square feet in total and will include five bedrooms and 5.5 bathrooms.

The agent: Jeff Shelton from Compass Florida represented the buyer and the seller.

Special features: The home’s design includes a floating staircase, a sauna and a wine room.

This home at 5117 W Poe Avenue in Tampa sold for $8.5 million in 2022. [ Steven Anthony Luxury Homes ]

10. $8.5 million – 280 Gulf Blvd., Belleaire Shores

The basics: This four-bedroom, five-bathroom home spans 3,444 square feet. It was built in 1978 on a 1.16-acre beachfront lot in a gated community.

The agents: Andrea Hartmann from the Sandy Hartmann Group was the listing agent. Dania Perry from Century 21 Jim White & Associates was the selling agent.

Special features: The master suite has a private balcony, his and hers walk in closets and a newly remodeled en-suite bathroom. There is also a garden with a gazebo, covered patio space, a heated swim spa and private beach access.