1. This cool California estate boasts astonishing views of the entire Santa Barbara coastline.

Photo via Sotheby's International Realty

This spectacular home combines two of California’s defining features—an effortlessly cool aesthetic and breathtaking views. Perched on 160 acres in Santa Barbara County, the 4,780-square-foot home was designed by Barbara Bestor, a Los Angeles-based architect known for her unique brand of West Coast modernism.

Photo via Sotheby's International Realty
Photo via Sotheby's International Realty

The home, set high above the Santa Barbara coastline, features walls of glass that slide away, providing seamless transitions between interior and exterior spaces. In the residence’s light-filled living room, a 25-foot telescoping glass door retracts to reveal sweeping views of the surrounding ocean, islands, and verdant mountains. Sleek yet inviting, the space is the ideal backdrop for a collection of organic mid century furniture featuring natural elements such as wood, rattan, and woven upholstery.

Photo via Sotheby's International Realty
Photo via Sotheby's International Realty

 The four-bedroom abode boasts a number of luxurious amenities, including a master suite that opens onto a private deck, a spacious dining room with a stone fireplace, a media room, and a yoga room with a private garden. Outside, the home features a lush courtyard with a fireplace and a pool. This magnificent mountaintop retreat is listed for $8.5 million. Click here to view the full listing.

Photo via Sotheby's International Realty

Shop the Look:

Clockwise from top left: Pair of shapely dark blue armchairs, Italian, 1950s. Offered by Gaspare Asaro Italian Modern; Rare Paldao "Ectoplastic" coffee table by Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller. Offered by Harvey’s on Beverly; Mid century loveseat. Offered by Galerie Sommerlath; Pair of table lamps by Jane and Gordon Martz for Marshall Studios. Offered by Las Venus by Kenneth Clark.

2. Da Vinci’s muse for the Mona Lisa lived in this historic Tuscan villa.

Photo via Lionard Luxury Real Estate

This sprawling, sixteenth-century estate located just outside of Florence has quite an impressive history. 500 years ago, the astonishing residence was owned by the silk merchant Francesco del Giocondo. The name might ring a bell as Lisa del Giocondo, Francesco’s wife, is widely believed to have been the muse for Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa (the masterpiece was previously titled La Gioconda). As if that isn’t remarkable enough, from the late nineteenth century until the mid twentieth century, the villa belonged to one of Tuscany’s most prominent wine families and its facade remains emblazoned on bottles of Villa Antinori’s popular Chianti Classico.   

Photo via Lionard Luxury Real Estate
Photo via Lionard Luxury Real Estate

The property’s 39,000-square-foot main residence features an abundance of gracious spaces brimming with Old World charm. Spread across three floors, the home includes a grand entrance hall, a library, a bedroom that opens onto a veranda decorated with stained glass and wrought iron, and an expansive terrace that offers unmatched views of Florence. The villa underwent a thoughtful restoration in the early 1900s and retains many of its original details, including painted ceilings and ornate moldings.

Photo via Lionard Luxury Real Estate
Photo via Lionard Luxury Real Estate

The home’s historic allure makes it the ideal venue for opulent European antiques and fine art. The villa’s most recent owners decorated the residence with a grand mix of Rococo, Neoclassical, and Baroque furniture, dazzling chandeliers, and classical paintings and sculptures.

Photo via Lionard Luxury Real Estate

In addition to the main house, the property features an eighteenth-century chapel, a lemon conservatory, agricultural buildings, and staff quarters. The villa also includes tree-lined alleys, vineyards, olive groves, cypress trees, and a beautiful Italian style garden that was originally designed by the English architect Cecil Pinsent. This dreamy estate carries a $23-million price tag. Click here to view the full listing.

Photo via Lionard Luxury Real Estate

Shop the Look:

Clockwise from top left: Gilded suite, set of seven. Offered by Clinton Howell Antiques; Vintage French bell shape crystal chandelier. Offered by La Maison Supreme; An extremely fine George III giltwood And faux bronze side table. Offered by Carlton Hobbs; Jean Leon Gerome, Hoop Dancer. Offered by Mark Murray Fine Paintings.