Nestled beside the Kiawah River, a protected estuary of South Carolina’s sea islands, The Dunlin—a newly opened Auberge Resorts property—captures the quiet magic of the Lowcountry. Architect Robert Glazier set the tone with 72 cottage-style guest suites, appointed by designer Amanda Lindroth to evoke forlorn coastal mansions. “We imagined a 1920s white-clapboard beach house with windows open to the breeze; something simple but noble,” she describes. Strokes of black and sturdy brown antiques temper the designer’s minty marsh green palette and trademark rattan, creating interiors as sophisticated as they are sweet. Spacious guest rooms feature fireplaces, soaking tubs and generous screened porches overlooking gnarled oaks, wispy salt grasses and ebbing tides. Meanwhile, the retro-inspired pool surroundings and spa promise absolute rejuvenation.

Located about 30 miles south of Nashville, Leiper’s Fork—a bucolic village in Franklin, Tennessee—offers a slice of old-fashioned Americana. Since the early aughts, preservationists Aubrey and Michele Preston have worked tirelessly to safeguard its rural character, maintaining a refuge for naturalists and creatives alike. This tight-knit community thrives on frequent gatherings, fostering a deep sense of belonging for those who call it home. From unique boutiques to art galleries, Leiper’s Fork is a shopper’s delight. Below are just a few must-visit stops along the trail.

Patina Home & Garden

Ensconced in the village’s 1914 general store is Patina Home & Garden, the impeccably curated shop of designer Brooke Giannetti and her husband, architect Steve Giannetti. Charming inventory includes Belgian linens, hand-dipped candles, Swedish antiques and, of course, the couple’s two tomes. New arrivals include their daughter’s eponymous Love, Leila pottery and oil paintings by local creative Meghan Aileen. The side courtyard acts as a vibrant gathering spot, hosting Hank’s Coffee Station several days per week.

If a cozy winter getaway is calling, consider dropping anchor at The Maidstone Hotel, open year-round and freshly revamped from top to bottom by LDV Hospitality. The iconic East Hampton property boasts a buzzworthy Italian-inspired food and beverage program (think: inventive raw bar delicacies and luscious homemade pastas) helmed by chef Jorge Espinoza of Scarpetta acclaim. Furthering the appeal, a cosmetic refresh courtesy of designer Poonam Khanna brings a coastal, contemporary touch to the interiors, with whimsical lighting, breezy textiles and choice antique accents. Located in the heart of the village, there is plenty to do and see by foot or bicycle, the latter provided gratis by the hotel. But a fireside feast followed by a fabulous sleep on Frette linens makes a great case for staying in.

Passing through the gold-leaf entry of Le Colonial, it’s as if you’ve stepped into a glamorous, bygone era. The famed French-Vietnamese restaurant now has a prime location on Naples’ 5th Avenue South, with a dream-team collaboration between Chicago architecture and design firm Knauer Inc, Connecticut firm DF Creative Designs and Swedish artist Jonas Wickman.

“Upon entering, one is transported to the seductive spirit of 1920s Saigon,” says Darrah Ferrari Wahlstedt of DF Creative Designs. “Sitting nestled among the palms, with the gentle breeze of the slow-moving ceiling fans, the ambience captures the charm and romance of that time.”

Each space within the restaurant claims its own unique details, from bold murals to Parisian brass lighting to hand-painted period photographs. Start the evening with a cocktail in the seductive lounge, with its rich, mahogany wall paneling, gold-leaf screens and plush seating. Then move to the dining room, which showcases a painting of a traditional Vietnamese boat sailing through Halong Bay. “Le Colonial has elevated the Naples dining scene, especially with its cuisine and style of service, providing a vibrant new reason to visit 5th Avenue South,” says Sean Smith, the restaurant’s general manager.

After designing boutique properties all along the West Coast, Eric Cheong of North 45 Projects has turned his sights on Big Sky Country. Auric Room 1915 is a speakeasycum-social club at Lone Mountain Ranch in Montana offering locally sourced cuisine and rare wine and whiskey in a collection of dramatically appointed spaces.

Intended to transport guests to the Montana of centuries past, Cheong’s design nods to 1915, the ranch’s founding date. “The moment guests step through the hidden entry, they are moved into a new realm—one where historical artifacts, world-class art and decadent design finishes create a rich elegance,” Cheong says.

Moving through a series of jewelbox spaces, visitors arrive at the main bar and dining room, where a black marble bar top set upon an ebonized oak base complements a dining room of intimate booths and banquettes in leather and cowhide. Throughout, Cheong incorporated early-20 th -century flourishes like wood plank tables inset with hand-hammered metal details and a William Morris-esque wallpaper with hand-painted meadowlarks. “The experience is one that drives curiosity to see what lies behind each curtain,” Cheong says.

Subtle theatrics balanced with larger-than-life ocean views take center stage at The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort. Designed by 10SB and Hirsch Bedner Associates Miami, the resort pays homage to its coastal surrounds and to circus impresario John Ringling and the Ringling Museum of Art.

“Focusing on the concept of movement as the common thread enabled us to develop a design language that integrates both coastal and circus elements,” says Man Him Chan of HBA Miami. “We curated a palette that consists of light stones, warm wood tones and blue accents to reflect the serenity of the environment. Features such as decorative light fixtures were used to reflect the energy and dynamism of the circus.” Look for dramatic details such as rope-like chandeliers; the oval-shaped Astor ballroom, inspired by old circus arenas; and a latticed circus cage that rises into the ceiling of The St. Regis Bar.

Standout amenities include multiple dining outlets designed by Dutch East, several pools, a lazy river that leads to a sanctuary of jets—where there’s Champagne service at the touch of a button—and a saltwater lagoon. The Residences, executed by Marc-Michaels Interior Design, share the hotel’s amenities and also flaunt their own posh perks, with some units fitted with plunge pools.

Discover the timeless elegance and reimagined charm of these historic Miami Beach gems.

The Raleigh

The Raleigh, a 1940s Art Deco icon, is poised to become Miami’s most exquisite resort and residential retreat. The transformation, led by visionary architect and designer Peter Marino in collaboration with Kobi Karp and developer SHVO, promises to blend historic charm with modern luxury.

The project sprawls across 3 acres and encompasses more than 200 feet of oceanfront property. It includes the revitalization of the Raleigh and Richmond hotels, combining them into a new Rosewood Hotel, and the transformation of the South Seas Hotel into a Michelin-caliber restaurant. A new Rosewood-branded condominium tower and an exclusive beach club will add to the allure. Marino cites the hotel’s Art Deco history as inspiration, emphasizing a “quiet elegance and simple but classic aesthetic.”

Slated for completion in 2026, the properties will fuse South Beach’s storied past with its dazzling future, reestablishing the landmark hotel as a coveted global destination of style and luxury.

Winter Haven Hotel Miami Beach

Nestled in South Beach, the recently renovated Winter Haven Hotel Miami Beach embodies retro charm and classic elegance. Originally designed by architect Albert Anis with renovations overseen by Jackie O. Santos, design director of Bill Rooney Studio, this historic boutique hotel draws inspiration from the city’s Art Deco era and lush tropical surroundings. “We wanted to honor the existing architecture and respect Miami’s history, so we preserved symmetry and geometry throughout and pulled the color palette from the natural environment,” Santos explains.

Upon arrival, the lobby bar leads guests to the second-floor balcony, where cozy seating encourages a lingering look at Art Deco details: fluted columns, terrazzo-inspired floors and brass fixtures. All 70 rooms radiate with warm, beachy hues, dominated by shell pink and aqua, while curved edges, zigzags and clean lines in the furnishings exude a softer, more modern take on Art Deco.

Amid glorious vineyard and coastline views, these chic spots are worth a stop on your next drive through Sonoma county.