Dream Homes: Inside The World's Coolest Properties

When you go property hunting, the best advice anyone can ever give you is “aim low”. No matter how gloat-worthy your budget seems to be, the kitchen will be pokier, the view will be bleaker and the neighbours will be much, much noisier than you were hoping for. But never give up! Carry on saving, master interior design trends, learn how to mould concrete or bend steel, befriend an architect – and maybe one day, four walls of an altogether more striking variety of dream home may be yours. Like these…

The Hart House, Australia

Conceived, they say, as a “contemporary interpretation of the quintessential one-room Australian beach shack”, the Hart House on the shores of Great Mackerel Beach in New South Wales is about as swanky a weekend getaway landing pad as you could wish for. It’s all pretty self-contained, with solar power and on-site waste processing, while the rainwater that falls onto its roof is harvested, too. The downside, if there is one, is this: the only access to the Hart House is by boat.
Architects: Casey Brown Architecture
Photographs by Rhys Holland

Planar House, Brazil

Built in 2018, the Planar House in Porto Feliz, Brazil, has that rare ‘must-have’ that many new builds overlook: a lawn on the roof. Once you’re done with the Flymo/putter, head inside to one of the five en-suite bedrooms, the gym or the playroom and enjoy the symphony of concrete, exposed brickwork and luxury woods that make up the lion’s share of this ultra-exotic pad.

Cleverly, the main living areas have been built at the sides of the property, and massive glass doors turn them into semi-outdoor living space when the weather’s nice.
Architects: Studio MK27
Photographs by Fernando Guerra

The House Boz, South Africa

This award-winning property in Pretoria, South Africa has echoes of a simple bush lodge, say its designers, who used a mound of quartzite rock they found when excavating as cladding throughout the house. We especially love the floating staircase, although we’re thinking that the hands and knees approach would be a good idea if rising to bed after a few glasses of the local Chardonnay.
Architects: Nico van der Meulen

The Magnolia House, Mexico

The architects behind this beautiful construction in Mexico City also design yachts – which should be a clue as to the kind of budget you might need before approaching them with big ideas about your suburban semi.

The Magnolia House is actually a reworking of an existing property as opposed to a new build; a riot of travertine, wood and marble that has been thoughtfully enhanced by some well-placed art. No IKEA prints here.
Architects: Ezequiel Farca
Photographs by Jaime Navarro

The Villa In The Palms, India

Nestled in the Goan jungle, The Villa In The Palms is a multi-award-winning project that combines pools, bridges and covered decks with a main structure built between the trees.

It’s a big spread – 1,300sqm – and took two years to complete, the architects behind it saying that their aim was to create something that was reminiscent of an old-time Goan village, while at the same time being entirely modern. Hey – is that an ancient tree, glassed off and left as a focal point of the living room? Yes it is.
Architects: Abraham John
Photographs by Alan Abraham

The King Bill House, Australia

When you’ve got a small footprint for a property in somewhere seriously crowded and expensive like Melbourne, the temptation is to go big: maximise your space and build a monolith. Or, if you’re the owners of the city’s King Bill House, which can be found in Melbourne’s Fitzroy district, you can do something completely different: such as let the plot breathe and create a new “pocket park”.

The design is based around a curvy refurb of a 170-year-old terraced house, and could well be the only home we’ve ever seen with an inbuilt giant hammock.
Architects: Austin Maynard
Photos by Derek Swalwell

House At The Great Wall Of China, China

Tourists only see small parts of the Great Wall: bits that have usually been trowelled up to perfection. But plenty of people get to see the ‘real’ wall, such as the new owners of this amazing home. Fashioned out of an old storage shelter near the wall and an existing property that was opposite, the new house fuses the two and has been designed to celebrate the rough stone brickwork that forms part of the structure – and, may we say, cleverly echoes the historic majesty of the nearby wall.
Architects: MDDM STUDIO

Jungle Frame House, Costa Rica

So you own a bit of slope in the Costa Rican jungle and fancy living there. A tent clearly won’t do (you’d roll down into the creek below), so the only answer – obvs – is this: a steel-frame house on stilts that makes the most of the slope to allow views of the treetops and sky. Here’s the genius bit: they did away with air conditioning not just because it’s environmentally-unfriendly, but because they didn’t really need it thanks to an innovative design that allows cross ventilation throughout the whole house.
Architects: Studio Saxe

8 Statement Looks You Can Pull Off This Spring/Summer

Bank statements, police statements, damage limitation statements; the consensus on statements is that they’re no good thing. However, statement looks – when approached with the right amount of chutzpah – can fast-track you from middle of the road to menswear maestro.

We know, we know, ‘statement pieces’ often create the kind of outfits that lead to well-meaning celebrities ending up being mercilessly mocked in the web’s comment sections or immortalised via memes.

But fear not, because we’ve tapped the advice of some of the fashion industry’s most clued-up so you can reap the rewards of dressing daringly with minimal chance of online annihilation. Wardrobe crisis averted.

White Trousers

Stating the obvious: white trousers may as well be physically moulded from Marmite because of their ability to polarise opinion. Everyone has something to say about white legwear, and more often than not they aren’t fans. But there are ways to keep the haters at bay.

“Ensure your white trousers are cut slim and not too long at the hem, so showing a bit of ankle,” says Reiss head of menswear design, Alex Field. If those ankles are as white as the trousers, it’s advisable to slap a small amount of tan on them, or you risk looking like you’re wearing sports socks.

While tonal outfits in shades of black, navy and even beige are a solid choice, when it comes to white Field suggests breaking up the look to avoid any sailor jibes. “Style the trousers with something that isn’t white. Preferably a knit in a neutral colour or navy for a classic, nautical look.”

Floral Shirt

We love the minimal, painfully tasteful Nordic menswear movement as much as the next pseudo-Scandinavian dresser, but (dare we say it) sometimes it gets a bit, well, boring. What’s the antithesis to boring? A floral shirt, of course.

“Remember, this look is more Bloomsbury boffin than it is Honolulu hottie, so if a floral shirt screams Hawaiian luau, step away slowly,” says style writer Miriam Bouteba. “Go for micro or painted florals while also making sure that the shirt’s base colour is dark and short sleeves are rolled slightly to minimise any whiff of novelty.”

Styling-wise, opt for smart chinos or tailored trousers and wear the shirt buttoned up or open over a plain T-shirt. For a next-level move, try tucking the shirt in for a sleek finish.

Pastel Blazer

Despite what many think, your surname doesn’t have to be Gatsby for you to be able to pull off a pastel blazer. Already one of the season’s key fashion trends, frankly they’re a no-brainer.

“A pastel blazer may seem a daring choice, but it’s a versatile and easy way to dress for spring/summer,” says stylist Ozzy Shah, who has dressed the likes of Olly Murs and Jim Chapman.

As softly stylish as they are, pastel blazers tend to scream try-hard, so keep things simple. Shah’s go-to combinations include “a crisp white shirt for the day and a black roll neck in the evening”. But they can also be deployed as part of a smart separates look (either contrasting or tonal); casually over a T-shirt, or used to soften a more rugged denim or chambray button-down. No matter which option you choose, swerve the cliché boat shoes in favour of loafers or clean sneakers. Pastel perfected.

How Loungewear Got Luxury

Millenials have been hailed as the first generation to be more boring than their predecessors, which means much less partying and much more Netflix and (optional) chilling. According to market research company Mintel, a staggering 28% of young millennials (aged 24-31) can’t be bothered to even leave the house to go for drinks: they’d rather do it at home.

If you’re wondering what the hell that has to do with your wardrobe, it means a lot. More time indoors means that what you’re wearing during your downtime is more important than ever. “The growth in luxury loungewear as a category coincides with the increasing value people are putting into their homes, says Molly Goddard, one half of the brains behind luxury British loungewear brand Desmond & Dempsey. “As we are investing more time and money in our homes, we want quality loungewear to enjoy our space in.”

In a world of smart TVs and speakers that can crack (crap) jokes, lacklustre loungewear no longer cuts the mustard. So, gone are bobbly nylon-mix tracksuits and T-shirts you don’t remember coming in your possession. In their place sits loungewear 2.0. It’s not just comfortable, it’s covetable. Call it the chill-luxe trend: your sweatpants got sumptuous. Hoodies are designer gear. Pyjamas are now so opulent there are some who wear them instead of shirts.

How Designer Loungewear Became A Thing

In line with the general trend in menswear away from the strictures of formal dressing, the rise of luxury loungewear taps into a desire for comfort above all else. “Everyone needs their down-time and there’s nothing better than relaxing in a pair of supersoft lounge shorts after a long day in suit trousers or stiff jeans,” says Sacha Rose, CEO of high-end British loungewear brand Derek Rose.

It’s not only a collective consensus on the importance of comfort that’s driven this trend though, there’s been a step change in the way loungewear itself is designed. “For men, pyjamas have become the part of the getting home routine that signifies relax time,” says Goddard. “Pyjamas need to match their wearer’s needs; styles should be smart enough to wear in front of the family, with deep button close pockets that can hold a phone.”

And, if anything good has come of the painful realisation that we’re all addicted to our screens, it’s that loungewear is now seen as an integral part of the switching-off process. Good loungewear is good for the soul. “As a society, we are beginning to understand and value the importance of sleep on health, comprehension and creativity: proper pyjamas make you feel like you really have your shit together,” says Goddard.

Modern loungewear is so wearable and easy on the eye now that it refuses to stay in the house. Just as we’ve seen with high-end sportswear, savvy owners of luxury loungewear have realised that their heather grey cashmere hoodie sets are too pretty to stay trapped behind drawn curtains. For a generation of men who want healthy cost-per-wear calculations and don’t want to spend the lion’s share of their week strapped up in a suit, investing in loungewear is a stupidly sensible move.

4 Modern Ways To Wear Luxury Loungewear

At Home

In a shock to approximately nobody, the natural bedfellow for loungewear is the bedroom. Not only will being sheathed head-to-toe in a cashmere lounge set or matching supima cotton pyjamas feel far superior to an old T-shirt and moth-bitten joggers, going high-end in your home comes with the added benefit of absolving internal guilt about binging on boxsets.

David Gandy For M&S Autograph

On The Weekend

Wearing anything deemed loungewear in public was once frankly unthinkable, but now as a by-product of the reappraisal of strict dress codes, loungewear’s been let out of the house. And, who was to know that a grey hoodie and tailored sweatpants would make such a rock-solid match for luxe white sneakers and a charcoal overcoat? The game has been changed for the better.

River Island

At The Gym

Whereas once the mere act of heading down to the gym to move some metal was deemed admirable, what you wear to get all red-faced now speaks volumes too. Take for example the combination of a slim unbranded pair of black joggers and a well-cut white T-shirt and compare it to the far inferior a mish mash of colours, shapes and brand affiliations which formerly constituted gym ‘style’.

CALIDA

Dressed Up

Leaving the house in your pyjamas sounds like the kind of thing that no self-respecting man should do, but under certain circumstances, it’s pretty sound advice. For a visual reference think Ryan Gosling, who’s been known to team a piped navy pyjama shirt with classic sand chinos. A printed pyjama shirt can also work wonders when worn with an otherwise staid suit by adding a louche feel into the mix.

Richard Biedul

How To Tie A Half Windsor Knot, With A Perfect Dimple Every Time

How much do you really know about tying a tie? Chances are, you’re still using the old four-in-hand technique – the stuff of schoolyard scruffbags and fresh-out-of-college admin assistants. A grown man needs a full compliment of knots in his style arsenal.

While the full or double Windsor knot – actually both the same thing – boast the rep for being the big boys’ knot, the half windsor tie knot is the one for the man who knows his stuff. Not big, bolshie, and boastful, but cool and considered.

“It gives a slightly slimmer feel than the full Windsor,” says Charlie Baker-Collingwood of Henry Herbert Tailors. “But it’s larger than most of the smaller and less-well-known knots, such as the pratt knot, which is very skinny by today’s terms.”

“It says you are confident but modest,” says Austen Pickles, tailor and founder of Johnny Tuxedo. “You know how to dress yourself and you mean business.”

T.M.Lewin

What is a Half Windsor Knot?

Though named for being a smaller version of the Windsor – which itself was named after King Edward VIII, who abdicated the British throne and settled for being the Duke of Windsor instead – it’s not actually half the size.

“Calling it a half Windsor is a bit misleading,” says Baker-Collingwood. “It’s about three quarters the size of a full Windsor rather half the size. It’s slim, smart, and soft-looking. It looks good with medium lightweight fabrics.”

The half Windsor is also known for its defined dimple, which sits just below the knot itself.

“This is my favourite knot,” says Pickles. “If you are going to learn one knot in your life, this is it. Tied properly you are left with a small-medium sized triangular knot, slightly bigger than the four-in-hand. The thin end of the tie should always be shorter than the fat end. And the fat end should finish just above the top of your trousers. Perfect.”

How To Tie A Half Windsor Knot

Step One

You know it starts: put the tie around your neck, with the wide end on the right and slim end on the left. Have the slim end just above your belly button. Cross the tie over as you would with other knots, wrapping the big end across the front of the slim end to the left, back around the back of the slim to the right.

Step Two

So we’re off to a good start, but this is where it gets tricky. Take the big end and bring it up the top of the “rabbit hatch” – that’s space between your shirt collar button and tie – and then down through the hatch and to the left. Now wrap it around across the front of the tie again, left to right, but do his near the very top of the tie.

Step Three

Pull the wide end up through the rabbit hatch this time, as if you’re aiming towards your Adam’s apple. Then pull it back down through the loop that’s formed at the front of the tie. At this point you should see the beginning of the dimple.

Step Four

For the final touches, fasten the tie around your neck as you normally do. Make it a nice and firm. Fastening securely is the secret to a great half Windsor knot.

Things To Consider With A Windsor Knot

Collar Shape

Mastering a new knot isn’t always easy, and if you’re putting in the hours (well, minutes) of practice you don’t want to fall at the final hurdle by plonking your perfectly tied knot against a poorly matched collar and shirt. Choose a tie and collar combo that’s in proportion.

“If you’re wearing a very wide spread collar then you may have accommodate a knot that’s going to complement the rest of the shirt,” says Baker-Collingwood. “Similarly, if it’s a very narrow collar, a skinny or Pratt Knot would be appropriate.”

“I love the Half Windsor with a plain shirt with a semi cutaway collar,” says Pickles. “But it is super versatile and you can mix it up. The collar should frame the knot so nothing too wide or too narrow, but even a button down will work nicely.”

Drake’s

Tie Material

This isn’t just about which material you need for a specific knot, but a rule about ties in general: if you want true quality and a sharp look, you have to buy the best. “Silk, silk, silk,” says Pickles. “In my humble opinion all ties should be silk irrespective of the knot.”

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with an off-the-peg polyester tie for work or less formal occasions. But the stiff, less malleable material of cheaper ties can make it harder to tie the knot neatly. And when it comes to colours, simplicity is the key.

Baker-Collingwood agrees. “A nice silk or slim material will define a beautiful looking half Windsor knot. This is because you want to achieve the dimple effect we see in half Windsors.”

But what about colour? “A dark tie over a light coloured shirt gives this knot the best opportunity to show off it’s silhouette perfectly,” says Pickles. “Think Rat Pack and JFK in the 1960s. My favourite is a navy suit, with a navy tie – possibly with a preppy stripe – in a half Windsor knot, and crisp white shirt.”

Face Shape

It’s one of the unfortunate realities of life, that not everyone’s face will suit every style or item of clothing. But you’re in luck. Whatever face shape you’ve be lumbered with, the half Windsor should be a winner.

“This knot is an all-rounder,” says Pickles. “It doesn’t discriminate between face shapes. If you’re a big guy though, it might be too small. We don’t want your tie knot to look like a pea on a drum, so see full Windsor or tie the half Windsor knot loosely.”

T.M.Lewin

Formality

Some would say that while the half Windsor is a step up from the old four-in-hand but doesn’t quite have the top tier formality that a full Windsor brings to the dress code. It’s best to think of the half Windsor as a go-to knot for making an impression at special work events and most smart functions that demand formal attire.

“This is a knot for almost all occasions,” says Austen Pickles. “Not ostentatious but completely legitimate whenever a lounge or business suit is required. It this is not the knot for formal wedding, and if your red carpet requires something glitzier, there are other options that will grab the spotlight.”

Of course, there’s no need to get caught up in the formality of it all. Go with a knot that you think best suits your duds and mood.

“In today’s modern world there are no rules, just preferences,” says Baker-Collingwood. “Given that there are probably over 100 different types of knot, there’s never an occasion for any specific kind of knot. The most important thing is that it makes you feel good.”