Custom metal features are appearing in more luxury homes than in decades. Hand-forged railings, sculptural gates, artisan light fixtures, and one-of-a-kind furniture pieces are replacing the mass-produced options that dominated residential design for years. While these metal accents are timeless, homeowners are also realizing that in top shape is just as important for maintaining that high-end, curated look.
In contemporary interiors, heating has quietly moved from the background to the foreground. No longer hidden behind sofas or disguised by bulky covers, radiators are now part of the design conversation. When renovating, redecorating, or building from scratch, designer radiators offer an opportunity to balance comfort, efficiency, and visual impact.
For more than a century, the Flatiron Building has been part of New York’s commercial landscape, operating as office space inside one of the city’s most recognizable landmark structures. However, the building is now in the process of being converted into private residences, marking one of the most closely watched residential transformations in Manhattan. Unit 11 South, now listed for $16 million, is the first home to enter the market, offering an early look at how the historic building is being reintroduced as residential real estate.
In the waterfront stretch north of Miami Beach, Bay Harbor Islands, located between Bal Harbour and Surfside, is known for deep-water access and a housing stock where point-lot properties — offering wider water exposure and increased separation from neighboring homes — rarely trade. At 10330 W Broadview Drive, a Mediterranean-style estate enters the market with both the scale and positioning that typically define long-term holdings.
This year, the housing story across Alabama and Mississippi is less about chasing breakout booms and more about buying well—markets where everyday livability is clear, pricing still feels defensible, and the upside is tied to fundamentals rather than hype. As buyers nationally stay selective, these five places stand out for how they meet the moment—some with unusually approachable entry points, others with durable employer anchors, and several with lifestyle advantages that feel increasingly valuable in a “think-first” market. Alabama’s long-running cost advantage is also reinforced by its low property tax burden, with multiple analyses placing its effective rate around 0.38%, among the lowest in the country.
In Northwest Hills, 6203 Ledge Mountain Drive reflects the work of Austin-based designer Claire Brody, whose designs emphasize depth, texture, and cohesion. Brody approached the home, listed at $1,749,000 by Kelton Finley of Douglas Elliman, as a sequence of experiences—each space distinct, yet intentionally connected.
The Mountain West ski market heads deeper into 2026 with the same enduring draw it’s always had: big landscapes and high-alpine towns. What’s changing is how people commit to trips, what they expect for the price, and how resorts are adapting to keep the experience consistent even when the season doesn’t follow a predictable script. Here are five trends shaping the Mountain West ski market this year.
The real estate conversation across the central United States is shifting in a way that feels both practical and quietly optimistic. As buyers stay sensitive to affordability and long-term livability, the heartland markets are earning more attention for a simple reason: they pair everyday quality of life with housing that—while not immune to national pressures—often feels more attainable and more fundamentally driven than many coastal alternatives. These are five Midwest markets worth watching in 2026.
Chicago’s housing market this year is being shaped by tight inventory and a slower, more practical decision-making climate than the peak pandemic years. Local outlooks from the Chicago Association of REALTORS® emphasize that easing mortgage rates can help unlock pent-up demand while inventory improves gradually rather than surging. Against that backdrop, condo buyers are getting more specific about how they want a home—and a building—to function.
Louisiana and Arkansas offer a compelling mix of cultural institutions, local events, and scenery—along with a range of real estate considerations for readers who are also thinking about a vacation-home purchase. As the year gets in full swing, several destinations have emerged as standout choices for travelers and prospective homeowners alike, each with its own distinct character and market dynamics.
