Sotheby’s International Realty and Assouline: 50 years of the art of living

To mark its fiftieth anniversary, Sotheby’s International Realty has joined forces with the publishing house Assouline to publish The Art of Refined Living. Through a selection of remarkable homes, this book explores the links between architecture, heritage and the art of living.

A story of architecture, culture and unique places

Since its foundation in 1976, Sotheby’s International Realty has focused particularly on luxury property. Beyond their location or architectural merits, certain properties stand out for their history, the famous people who have lived in them and their place in cultural heritage.

To mark its fiftieth anniversary, the international network is joining forces with Assouline, a publishing house renowned for its books on art, architecture, design and the world’s leading destinations.

This collaboration gave rise to The Art of Refined Living, a book that traces five decades of remarkable homes and bears witness to a shared appreciation for places whose identity extends beyond their mere archite

Written by the American author Gay Gassmann, with forewords by Philip A. White Jr. and Charles F. Stewart, the book takes readers on a journey through the architecture, eras and ways of life that have shaped the history of Sotheby’s International Realty.

The Art of Refined Living: homes that reflect their era

Sometimes, an architect’s signature ensures a property’s place in history. In other cases, it is a personality, a way of living or a particular cultural context.

The properties featured in The Art of Refined Living illustrate this diversity. Among them, the Kaufmann Desert House, designed by Richard Neutra in Palm Springs, remains one of the most famous examples of American modernist architecture. Its horizontal lines and its interplay with the desert landscape have made it a benchmark of 20th-century design.

Several thousand kilometres away, in the hinterland of the Côte d’Azur, La Pitchoune tells a completely different story.

This Provençal house with its blue shutters was once the retreat of Julia Child and her husband Paul. Closely associated with the famous American chef’s passion for French cuisine, it has become a place of gastronomic heritage, where the intimacy of a holiday home meets a cultural history that transcends borders.

These two residences, which differ greatly in terms of their architecture and purpose, share one essential quality: they bear witness to an era and a way of living in the world.

Monaco, a prime location for luxury property

The Principality has long held a unique place in the history of international residential property. This dates back to the founding of the Société des Bains de Mer on 2 April 1863 by a sovereign ordinance of Prince Charles III, thanks to the vision of the businessman François Blanc. Its proximity to the sea, its climate and its safety attract a high-end clientele seeking to settle in a privileged setting.

This heritage is reflected today in the diversity of its neighbourhoods from the vibrant city center to the peaceful hillside areas and the seafront and in its architecture: Belle Époque buildings, luxury residences and contemporary designs make up a varied architectural heritage shaped by several generations.

Fifty years of a unique perspective on the property market

Established in 1976 as part of the cultural legacy of Sotheby’s, the auction house founded in London in 1744, Sotheby’s International Realty has developed an approach to property that focuses on the unique character of each location.

Its international expansion, particularly through the franchise model developed from 2004 onwards, has brought together professionals with deep roots in the local luxury property market under a shared identity.

The publication of The Art of Refined Living continues this story in a format designed to be displayed in the home.

With its deep blue fabric cover and meticulous photographic layout, the book follows in the tradition of the beautiful volumes produced by Assouline.

More than just a retrospective, it offers a reflection on what endures over time: an architectural vision, an atmosphere, a legacy, or the memories of those who once lived in these places.

Through this publication, Sotheby’s International Realty celebrates fifty years of history, whilst reminding us that the most memorable homes are often those that continue to tell a story long after they have changed hands.

Discover the book: The Art of Refined Living, published by Assouline

It is against the backdrop of this history and 50 years of expertise in the property sector that Monte-Carlo Sotheby’s International Realty’s approach is rooted.

^{Published the 21/10/2026}