Blake Bakkila

When my husband and I were planning to move from New York to California, I spent most of my free time (and phone data) scouring Zillow. Messaging owners and agents directly and sharing our story ultimately led to us closing on a condo that was originally listed for rent. On a national scale, the current status of the housing market has forced a lot of people—buyers and real estate professionals alike—to get more creative.

In a recent roundup of unique, jaw-droppingly expensive homes, Realtor.com reported that the priciest property is a palatial estate in—where else—Beverly Hills, California. We all know 90210 for Rodeo Drive and its luxury stores, celebrities, fine dining… the list goes on. 1420 Davies Drive is a 21,800-square-foot megamansion situated on top of a 7.8-acre promontory—and it’s on the market for a whopping $87 million.

Want to make your home a bit brattier? We’re not talking toddler tantrums and teen angst—there’s a new trend taking over social media, courtesy of singer-songwriter Charli XCX.

When your personal style or home address changes, it can feel like second nature to toss out your old furniture and decor and start fresh. Chances are, however, there are a few sentimental items you simply can’t imagine parting with. For Newport Beach-based interior decorator Julie Hovnanian, she’s held onto a pair of precast concrete poodles.

“Impossibly unaffordable” are two words that Californians are probably less than thrilled to hear. In a recent report from Chapman University in Orange, California, and the Frontier Centre of Public Policy (FCPP) in Canada, that’s exactly how four California metros are described. The 2024 edition of Demographia International Housing Affordability shows San Jose, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego listed among the top 10 least affordable housing markets—not just in the United States, but worldwide. 

Ever since my grandpa passed away this past May, my family has been processing our grief by sharing stories and wiping the dust off the many photo albums piled up in my grandparents’ garage. At one point, their dining room table was completely covered in photos dating all the way back to the 1930s. Most of them had multiple copies, too, and when we talked about how to best preserve and store them, I immediately thought of Amanda Titchenal, the organizing pro behind full-service organizing firm Well Organized.

My sister recently purchased a condo with a shockingly expansive wraparound balcony. The only problem? She has no clue how to fill the space. How much furniture is too much furniture? Should it match the black and white decor she’s collecting for her interiors? Is the comfy lounge chair she’s been eyeing really worth the investment? In an effort to answer these questions and more, I reached out to several California-based designers for their insights. 

Heads up: It’s probably time to revisit your junk drawer. Not to grab your go-to tube of lip balm or a piece of gum, but to finally organize it. 

About 70 miles south of Jackson Hole, 2150 Robinson Lane is a sprawling property with a castle, fully outfitted with tunnels and towers—and it can be yours for the cool price of $14 million. It hit the market in April, and since then, all eyes have been on this extraordinary real estate opportunity. 

Were you raised in a barn? Probably not, but you might have sliding barn doors as space-saving solutions in your home. Earlier this year, however, experts shared the news that these once-trendy doors are “out,” particularly because they don’t offer much privacy and aren’t the best option if you have space constraints. 

As we enter the summer season, Pinterest’s latest trends report shows evidence for three emerging home decor ideas. Nancy Meyers core, dopamine decor, and eclectic vintage were all called out, with more specific search terms mentioned for each category. The throughline? People want their spaces to have a more personalized, nostalgic, and homey vibe.

Tucked away in a historic section of Palm Springs is the Pop Pad, a three-bedroom, three-bath home. The owners were initially drawn to the area and the history behind the mid-century modern house. Designed and built by the iconic Palm Springs builder/architect duo of Alexander and Krisel in the late 1950s, the unique real estate opportunity had lots of potential but needed a major update.

If you’re in talks to potentially sell your home, Zillow is here with another tip for future sellers: Go dark. By that, they mean opt for moodier colors in every room—especially dark gray.