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Lessons from Trump’s Tariff Wars, Russia’s Sanctions and Implications for Australia

OPINION 

Regardless of whether you are a Trump supporter or not, given the stock market turmoil and what can only be interpreted as personal attacks on global trading partners, Trump is quickly becoming one of the most globally polarising presidential figures in US history.

The trade war threatens global economic stability and reverses 80 years of globalisation. Geopolitics shape the global financial landscape, resulting in trade wars, wars, and sanctions, forcing nations to rethink their economic strategies.

Expect significant volatility to continue because we are in for a bumpy and uncertain ride during the remaining term of Trump’s presidency; diversification across lowly correlated asset classes has never been more critical.

Trumpenomics might be the most crucial economic experiment in modern history, and if you think this has no impact on Australians, think again.   

FROM A US PERSPECTIVE, PERHAPS THE COUNTRY HAS NO CHOICE BUT TO DO SOMETHING DRASTIC 

The US economy is the world’s largest consumer of products, and its trade deficit is running at US$147.9 billion per month. This is certainly not sustainable. 

Federal debt stands at an all-time high of US$36.4 trillion, equating to 123% of GDP. This has been built up over decades because of the American consumer’s voracious appetite for cheap products delivered to them through globalisation.

However, the music has to stop one day to avoid continuing to fall into the inevitable debt spiral.  

Trump argues that the fall in manufacturing in the US from 15.8% to 10.1% of GDP in the past 25 years has resulted in the single most significant deterioration in the living standards of the middle class, with the wealth being transferred to manufacturing economies such as China and Japan.   

 Despite Trump’s bizarre public interpretation of tariffs, they essentially tax US citizens’ consumption. Trump is infatuated by the Gilded Age in the US (1870 – 1900), when there was no personal income tax and governments raised most of their income through tariffs.  

DEGLOBALISATION 

Over the past 80 years, globalisation has been a powerful growth engine, lifting billions out of poverty, lowering consumer prices, and fostering unprecedented economic interdependence.

For the US economy, globalisation enabled access to vast export markets, cheap imports, and global capital flows, keeping inflation in check and sustaining consumer demand.  

Globalisation has delivered extraordinary prosperity to the US, with the complex, interconnected global supply network we enjoy today.

The benefits of this network have been built over decades, with many US firms opening complex international supply chains to extract maximum global competitiveness. We do not know how they will be impacted, what the unintended consequences of these companies needing to trade under the new world order will be, and how this will affect both US and global markets. 

Before the Global Financial Crisis, global trade exceeded 60% of world GDP. Since then, geopolitical fragmentation, supply chain vulnerabilities, and rising protectionism have ushered in an era of deglobalisation. The peak of globalisation is widely considered to have occurred in the mid-2000s.  

A deglobalisation trend gathered pace during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting countries’ vulnerabilities and sovereignty in severe crises. It is important to note that from an economic standpoint, we have reached a pivotal point where the benefits of globalisation have been fully absorbed by our current Western economies.

Therefore, the current costs of global trade outweigh the benefits and a growing group of economists such as Dani Rodrik, Richard Baldwin and Nouriel Roubini firmly support deglobalisation.  

The irony of Trump’s intentions regarding tariffs is that they have a sound fundamental economic basis when applied evenly, fairly, and measuredly. They are not an attack on trading partners, but a tax placed on consumers.  

However, when tariffs are intentionally imposed to harforeign countries, we enter a different geopolitical game, resulting in trade wars, shifting alliances, increased global tensions, conflicts, and the risk of wars.   

1https://www.economist.com/international/2009/02/19/turning-their-backs-on-the-world 

LESSONS TO BE LEARNED FROM HISTORY 

Two historical case studies provide glimpses of rational thinking that supports tariffs: the US-China trade war initiated by Trump in his first term in office, and Russia’s economic resilience under Western sanctions, offer valuable lessons for Australia.  

 While distinct in their circumstances, both examples underscore the importance of self-sufficiency, local manufacturing, and strategic economic policies to withstand external pressures.  

UNDERSTANDING TRUMP’S TARIFF WARS 

During Trump’s first presidency, he launched a tariff war, primarily targeting China, to reduce the US trade deficit and encourage domestic manufacturing. His administration imposed tariffs on billions of dollars’ worth of Chinese imports, arguing that unfair trade practices and intellectual property theft had disadvantaged American businesses.  

The strategy was designed to make imported goods more expensive, incentivising firms and consumers to buy domestically produced alternatives. 

While the immediate effects included increased costs for US consumers and retaliatory tariffs from China, the broader goal was to shift supply chains, encourage domestic production, and reduce reliance on foreign economies. Some industries benefited—such as steel and aluminium manufacturing—while others, such as agriculture, suffered from reduced exports due to retaliatory measures.  

The long-term impact remains debated, but the lesson is clear: economic policy tools, such as tariffs, can strategically reorient an economy toward self-reliance. 

RUSSIA’S ECONOMIC RESILIENCE UNDER SANCTIONS 

A parallel case is Russia, which, despite facing heavy sanctions from Western nations, after its 2014 annexation of Crimea and, more significantly, after its 2022 invasion of Ukraine managed to sustain and even grow its economy.  

Sanctions aimed to cripple key industries, limit access to global financial markets, and pressure the government into compliance. However, Russia’s response was instructive. The country aggressively pivoted toward self-sufficiency, particularly in food and energy production.  

Russia mitigated the impact of sanctions by increasing local manufacturing and shifting trade to non-Western partners such as China and India. The Ruble remained relatively stable due to strict capital controls and alternative trade agreements.  

This demonstrated how a nation can adapt when forced into economic isolation by fostering domestic industries and securing alternative markets. 

TRUMP’S THE ART OF THE DEAL

Perhaps it is worthwhile to delve into Trump’s psychology, which has been formed throughout his career, a businessman deeply rooted in high-stakes negotiation, underpinned by access to immense financial resources and brand capital.  

Inheriting a real estate business from his father, Trump expanded the empire into Manhattan’s luxury property market, leveraging aggressive deal-making and media-savvy self-promotion.

Trump consistently positioned himself as a power negotiator, unafraid of risk or confrontation. This negotiating style, as erratic and aggressive, comes from a position of power and wealth, which has paid off all his life and is all that he knows. 

Now, as President, he is applying the same leadership style while in charge of the largest economy in the world, as he has done throughout his life.  Regarding the position on tariffs, do not expect any consistency; he will pivot and change his position as frequently as he changes his underwear, leaving everyone consistently guessing.

Meanwhile, Trump-esque logic and rationale will always justify his actions with gusto and unquivering confidence.  

Perhaps this is where the high-risk strategy evolves. There is no doubt he is going for broke, and it is anyone’s guess as to where this will end.  There may be global recessions with markets overwhelmingly turning pessimistic. 

Alternatively, he will end up with low interest rates so that government debt is more manageable, thereby reducing income tax and regaining local popularity by reorienting the economy in record time as world leaders cave into Trump’s outrageous demands and hurt the Chinese economy. It is also plausible that straight base 10% tariffs are applied, with the exception of China; only time will tell.  

LESSONS FOR AUSTRALIA AND INVESTORS 

Despite Trump’s overall strategy with tariffs in these unprecedented times, any politician, economy, asset class, or equity fund manager can go from hero to villain back, and then back to hero overnight.

Investors should take note and ensure they do not make decisions based on pure emotion and be led by animal spirits (the collective mood of the market). 

Many economists and politicians have been calling for an emergency rate cut. This is highly unlikely, despite these recent events damaging consumer and business confidence. There are endless permutations on how this may impact our economy.

Our Reserve Bank Governor has on many occasions said that they make decisions based on data. There is still inflationary pressure that could be placed on our economy from the shifting nature of trade and geopolitics, and there is no need to rush to a decision that could be made in haste.  

Whether Trump plays the long or short-term game, tariffs will accelerate the deglobalisation trend. Australia must focus on reducing import dependence, strengthening local manufacturing, and diversifying trade partnerships.  

From an investment perspective, there has never been a more critical time to ensure the right diversification in one’s investment portfolio.

Despite the best research conducted by large fund managers regarding the correct composition of shares, fixed interest, alternative assets, and private funds within the portfolio, there is often a lack of understanding of how these types of, either black swan events or long structural changes to the economy, can set back one’s portfolio so considerably.  

As a private credit fund manager, we can only see increased investor demand in Australia as there continues to be growing uncertainty and volatility in the equity markets.  

Paul Miron has more than 20 years of experience in banking and commercial finance. After rising to senior positions for various Big Four banks, he started his own financial services business in 2004.

MSQ Capital

msquaredcapital.com.au

 

 

 

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Foreign Home Buyers Craving a Piece of the Swiss Alps Finally Have a Way In

While golden visa schemes proliferate, Switzerland remains famously protective about buying property in the country.

Rules known as Lex Koller, introduced in 1983, prohibit foreigners from buying homes in cities like Geneva and Zurich. And in the few locations where foreigners can buy, purchase permits come with rules around size and occupancy.

But non-Swiss buyers who have coveted an Alpine home now have a pathway to ownership, and it’s likely to come with financial upside. The Swiss government has waived residency requirements in a handful of locations where developers have negotiated exemptions in exchange for billions of dollars of investment in construction and improvements.

Andermatt, a village 4,715 feet above sea level in the centre of the Swiss Alps, is the largest municipality to open up to foreign buyers.

Its main investor, Egyptian magnate Samih Sawiris, “believed Andermatt could become a full-town redevelopment when he first visited in 2005, but the key was to offer real estate to people outside of Switzerland,” said Russell Collins, chief commercial officer of Andermatt-Swiss Alps, Sawiris’s development company.

“We became the only large-scale real estate development in Switzerland with an exemption from the Lex Koller regulations.”

In the ensuing decades, Andermatt has become a major draw for high-net-worth buyers from around the world, said Alex Koch de Gooreynd, a partner at Knight Frank in London and head of its Swiss residential sales team.

“What the Andermatt-Swiss Alps guys have done is incredible,” he said. “It’s an impressive resort, and there is still a good 10 years’ worth of construction to come. The future of the resort is very good.”

Andermatt’s profile got another boost from the 2022 acquisition of its ski and resort operations by Vail Resorts, which runs 41 ski destinations worldwide.

“Vail has committed to 150 million Swiss francs (US$175 million) in investments, which is another game-changer,” de Gooreynd said.

“If you’d asked me about Andermatt 10 years ago, I would have said the ski areas weren’t good enough of a draw.”

Along with the five-star Chedi Andermatt hotel and residences, which opened in 2013, residential offerings include the Gotthard Residences at the Radisson Blu hotel; at least six branded residences are planned to open by 2030, according to Jeremy Rollason, director for France, Switzerland, and Austria at Savills Ski.

“Most of these are niche, boutique buildings with anywhere from eight to 14 units, and they’re releasing them selectively to create interest and demand, which has been a very successful approach,” he said.

“Andermatt is an emerging destination, and an intelligent buy. Many buyers haven’t heard of it, but it’s about building a brand to the level of Verbier, Courchevel or Gstaad.”

The Alpinist, Andermatt’s third hotel residence, is slated to open in 2027; with 164 apartments, the five-star project will be run by Andermatt-Swiss Alps, according to Collins.

Other developments include Tova, an 18-unit project designed by Norwegian architects Snohetta, and La Foret, an 18-apartment building conceived by Swiss architects Brandenberger Kloter.

Prices in Andermatt’s new buildings range from around 1.35 million francs for a one-bedroom apartment to as much as 3.5 million francs for a two-bedroom unit, according to Astrid Josuran, an agent with Zurich Sotheby’s International Realty.

Penthouses with four or more bedrooms average 5 million-6 million francs. “Property values have been increasing steadily, with an average annual growth rate of 7.7% in the last 10 years,” she said.

“New developments will continue for the next 10 years, after which supply will be limited.”

Foreign buyers can obtain mortgages from Swiss banks, where current rates hover around 1.5% “and are declining,” Josuran said.

Compared to other countries with Alpine resorts, Switzerland also offers tax advantages, said Rollason of Savills. “France has a wealth tax on property wealth, which can become quite penal if you own $4 million or $5 million worth of property,” he said.

Andermatt’s high-end lifestyle has enhanced its appeal, said Collins of Andermatt-Swiss Alps.

“We have three Michelin-starred restaurants, and we want to create a culinary hub here,” he said. “We’ve redeveloped the main shopping promenade, Furkagasse, with 20 new retail and culinary outlets.

And there is a unique international community developing. While half our owners are Swiss, we have British, Italian and German buyers, and we are seeing inquiries from the U.S.”

But Andermatt is not the only Swiss location to cut red tape for foreign buyers.

The much smaller Samnaun resort, between Davos and Innsbruck, Austria, “is zoned so we can sell to foreigners,” said Thomas Joyce of Alpine property specialist Pure International.

“It’s high-altitude, with good restaurants and offers low property taxes of the Graubunden canton where it’s located.”

At the Edge, a new 22-apartment project by a Dutch developer, prices range from 12,000-13,500 francs per square metre, he said.

As Andermatt’s stature grows, this is a strategic time for foreigners to invest, said Josuran of Sotheby’s.

“It might be under the radar now, but it’s rapidly growing, and already among Switzerland’s most attractive ski locations,” she said. “Now’s the time to buy, before it reaches the status of a St. Moritz or Zermatt.”

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Jeff Bezos’s Beverly Hills Neighbour Puts Sleek Mansion up for Sale

A home that’s right at the entrance to Jeff Bezos’s Beverly HIlls estate, which the billionaire purchased for $165 million in 2020, is now on the market asking $19.8 million.

Shaded by mature olive trees, the three-story modern mansion on Angelo Drive spans nearly 10,000 square feet, and includes five bedrooms, a bar and lounge, a home cinema, a pool with floating benches, and a 15-car garage.

The modern home centers around a striking wood staircase that extends through all three floors, creating an eye-shaped spiral.

Other design choices include a full-height black marble fireplace, herringbone wood flooring, grayscale marble backsplashes in the kitchen and bathroom, banks of floor-to-ceiling windows and a seating area in the middle of the pool.

There is also an outdoor kitchen and eating area poolside, and a living space with sliding doors that open directly onto the pool deck, for indoor/outdoor living.

The home was built in 2021 and designed by Gabbay Architects for the owner, who purchased the underlying property for $4.1 million in 2015, according to property records accessed through PropertyShark.

The seller, who runs a Beverly Hills-based plastic surgery practice, could not immediately be reached for comment.

The Benedict Canyon house came to market Friday with Tomer Fridman of Christie’s International Real Estate. He could not immediately be reached for comment.

The Bezos estate is also known as the Warner Estate, named after its first owner, Hollywood mogul Jack Warner of the Warner Bros.

After Warner, the 9-acre estate was owned by music executive and film producer David Geffen, followed by Bezos. The property includes a palatial Gregorian Revival mansion built in 1939 and designed by architect Florence Yoch to befit the status of one of the most powerful men in Hollywood.

At $19.8 million, the new listing offers quite a deal compared to other properties neighbouring Bezos. In Florida, the owner of a vacant lot next door to the Amazon founder’s estate on Indian Creek Island is asking $150 million for it.

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Australian Luxury Brand MAISON de SABRÉ Expands in US Despite Trade Pressures

As global trade tensions intensify and tariffs reshape the retail landscape, one Australian brand is choosing to scale rather than retreat.

Sydney-founded luxury label MAISON de SABRÉ is doubling down on the US market, pushing ahead with a bold expansion strategy despite rising cost pressures and broader global uncertainty.

While many brands are increasing prices or pausing shipments, MAISON de SABRÉ is holding its price point for customers and continuing to invest in its US operations.

The move reflects a deeper strategic play: a vertically integrated, zero-waste supply chain that allows the brand to deliver on cost, speed, and quality — even under pressure.

It’s this model, paired with consistent product innovation and sharp design, that has helped MAISON de SABRÉ build lasting equity in international markets.

At its pop-up in Bloomingdale’s, MAISON de SABRÉ is currently the top-selling brand in its category — a position it also holds in the top two across both Bloomingdale’s and Nordstrom’s online platforms.

Co-founder and CEO Omar Sabré says this is no accident.

“This is going to be a very difficult period for a lot of smaller brands — especially those relying on offshore mass production or single growth markets,” says Sabré.

“We’ve built a uniquely global model that can absorb shocks — from pricing pressure to supply chain disruption — while protecting customers and safeguarding long-term growth.”

Founded on a mission to deliver modern, accessible luxury, the brand hand-finishes its signature full-grain cowhide goods in Sydney, tested against a 13-point quality control protocol.

Sustainability is embedded, not just as a value but as a competitive advantage. MAISON de SABRÉ sources exclusively from LWG Gold-Rated tanneries, and its transition to DriTan™ leather — the world’s most sustainable tanning method — saves 25 million litres of water annually and reduces chemical use by 33%.

With 85% material utilisation, zero-waste production, and carbon offsetting on track by 2026, MAISON de SABRÉ is setting a new standard for sustainable craftsmanship at scale.

“We’ve always believed that staying close to the customer — operationally and emotionally — is what separates sustainable brands from short-term players,” says Sabré.

“This isn’t just about product. It’s about building systems that hold up in any climate.”

While competitors pivot or pause, MAISON de SABRÉ is executing a long-term strategy built on control, creativity, and disciplined growth. In a disrupted global retail market, the brand isn’t just weathering the storm — it’s shaping the new definition of modern luxury.

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Hunters Hill Heritage Transformed for Modern Day Living

A grand old dame who has stood the test of time, Marika is a slice of Hunters Hill heritage transformed for modern-day living. 

Meticulously renovated between 1981 and 1983, with several updates since, Marika made it onto the heritage register in 1999 just in time to signal a new millennium. Today, the modernised mansion is on the market with an auction price guide of $7.5 million, marketed through BresicWhitney’s Nicholas McEvoy. 

“The home is a fantastic opportunity for a discerning buyer to get a grand family estate-style property, with a pool, tennis court and grounds, for a price that’s much more affordable than expected,” McEvoy says. 

Sitting pretty on the corner of Augustine St and Ryde Rd, the stately Federation residence  occupies a sprawling 2472sq m block, which was once part of a 30-acre land grant handed to Frederick Augustus Hayne in 1835. In 1902, he sold it to Dr Leopold Augustus Carter, a local dentist. Two years later, Marika, then known as “Ryde”, appeared in the famed Sands Directory – the social media of its era – a symbol of its architectural significance. 

Surrounded by manicured gardens with sculpted hedges, a pool and full tennis court, Marika is a prime example of Federation style with contemporary elements.  

Inside, the single-level five-bedroom home showcases intricate craftsmanship, from its decorative gables, period archways and bay windows to the coloured glass panels on multiple doors and windows. Elegant formal rooms have high ornate ceilings that are a preserved nod to Marika’s past, while the more modern spaces are relaxed family-friendly zones. 

Thanks to a pavilion-style addition, the L-shaped layout measures 450sq m internally and wraps around a central courtyard that plays host to the alfresco dining terrace and pool, while a wide veranda frames the original front rooms of the house.  

Primary living spaces, including the dining area with integrated bar, open to the great outdoors via stacker doors and the 21st century kitchen has a large island bench and a butler’s pantry with hidden access to the triple lock up garage. There is also a dedicated media room, a library or home office, plus a separate family room with a beautiful bay window. 

All bedrooms feature built-ins while the main retreat, and a second bedroom, have shower ensuites. The shared bathroom houses convenient twin vanities and a freestanding bathtub. 

Beyond the interiors, Marika delivers resort amenities with a full-sized, floodlit tennis court, the pool, barbecue terrace and a self-contained studio apartment with the added bonus of Harbour Bridge glimpses. 

Added extras include a converted loft storage space, a large laundry with side yard access, ducted air conditioning, multiple fireplaces, solar panels with a battery backup and modern insulation. 

Accessed via Augustine St, Marika is close to St Joseph’s College, Boronia Park shops, local ovals and city transport. 

Marika at 59 Augustine St, Hunters Hill is set to go under the hammer on April 26, on site at 9am with a price guide of $7.5 million. The listing is with Nicholas McEvoy and Narelle Scott of BresicWhitney Hunters Hill. 

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Canadian Property Market Hurt by Tariff Concerns

OTTAWA–The nascent recovery in Canada’s housing market has become a casualty of the trade dispute with the U.S.

The latest national home-resale data are due out Tuesday, but early indications from several big regional real-estate boards suggest March was overall another down month as many prospective buyers exercised caution.

The recent weakness in home sales has dimmed the previously brighter outlook for the property market coming into 2025, when buyers were encouraged by the Bank of Canada’s aggressive interest-rate cuts.

“The chills the U.S. trade war has sent through participants in the housing market are getting frostier,” said Robert Hogue , assistant chief economist at Royal Bank of Canada.

Hogue said resales are down materially in a number of markets two months running, and home prices in several markets are coming under pressure as inventories rise. And although Canada was spared additional levies when President Trump unveiled so-called reciprocal tariffs on dozens of countries earlier this month, no meaningful rebound is likely so long as trade uncertainty lingers, he said.

Home buyers in Toronto, Canada’s most populous city and the country’s financial hub, aren’t turning up for the usual spring pickup in property-market activity.

Sales in the Greater Toronto Area slumped 23.1% in March from a year earlier, as new listings for the region jumped close to 29%, according to the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board. That marked the worst month of resales since 1998.

The board’s chief information officer, Jason Mercer , said many potential home buyers were likely taking a wait-and-see approach given the economic worries as well as a pending federal election. “Homebuyers need to feel their employment situation is solid before committing to monthly mortgage payments over the long term,” he said, adding that ownership has become more affordable and prices in the area fell about 3.8% year on year in March.

Uncertainty is also weighing on the housing market in Calgary, the biggest city in oil-rich Alberta. The city’s real-estate board said realtors reported a 19% drop in sales of existing homes from last year, with a similar trend of improving supply and a sharp increase in the average number of days that homes were on the market.

On the West Coast, home sales registered in the metro Vancouver area of British Columbia were the lowest for March since 2019, falling 13.4% on a year earlier and coming in close to 37% below the 10-year seasonal average, while active listings continued to rise.

There are some areas of resilience. The Quebec Professional Association of Real Estate Brokers said total sales in the province were up 9% year on year in March. Still, RBC’s Hogue estimated Montreal sales in March were down about 15% from December seasonally adjusted, effectively rolling back the advance since the end of last summer.

The most recent national data for the country, from the Canadian Real Estate Association, showed resales dropped 9.8% month over month in February, when homebuyers may also have been put off by harsh winter storms in parts of the country. That marked the sharpest fall since May 2022 and brought the level of sales to their lowest level since November 2023, snapping signs that activity had been picking up in recent months.

Rishi Sondhi , an economist at Toronto-Dominion Bank, in a recent report estimated the country was tracking toward a double-digit quarterly decline in Canadian home sales and a mid-single-digit drop in Canadian average home prices for the first three months of 2025. That is much weaker than a pre-Trump inauguration forecast made in December that projected a loosening in federal mortgage rules, lower interest rates and continued economic growth would fuel a modest gain in sales and prices.

Central-bank officials are set to decide Wednesday on monetary policy, but they have signaled a cautious approach to rates as they balance the prospect of tariffs stoking price pressures against the likelihood that they will dampen demand and weigh on the economy. That could mean the Bank of Canada will pause after seven straight cuts to its policy rate.

Housing is a hot topic for party leaders campaigning ahead of the April 28 election, with both the incumbent Liberal Party and opposition Conservatives proposing tax cuts and incentives to encourage buyers and builders.

The outlook for new homes has also dimmed with the tariff threat. The value of residential-building permits issued in February fell 2.9% from a month prior, adding to a retreat in January that took back some of the surge in intentions in the final month of last year, Statistics Canada data last week showed.

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The Art of Living Beautifully

Art can transform more than just walls—it shapes mood, evokes memory, and elevates the everyday. Discover how thoughtfully curated interiors can become living expressions of personal meaning and refined luxury, from sculptural furniture to bespoke murals.

  1. Artful Abundance: The Sophisticated Joy of Artful Interiors

Imagine a hushed hospital corridor, its sterile walls awash in the glow of flickering fluorescent lights. In that unexpected moment, a solitary Monet painting emerged—a luminous tableau of delicate lilies dancing in quiet defiance.

As the clinical austerity yielded to the graceful presence of art, this single work transformed into a vessel of solace and hope amid overwhelming uncertainty.

That moment continues to resonate with me—a vivid reminder that art transcends mere aesthetics to become a profound catalyst for emotional healing and inspiration. It is this transformative experience that fuels my passion as a biophilic interior designer.

I create environments where every element, from bespoke murals to sculptural installations, harnesses art’s power to elevate the human spirit, spark creativity, and enrich lives. Let us journey together into the world of luxurious interiors that define modern elegance.

2. Art as Wellness: A Daily Ritual of Rejuvenation

At its core, art is a daily ritual that renews both mind and spirit. Scientific research consistently confirms that nature-inspired art reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, and kindles creativity.

The simple act of beholding a tranquil landscape or a subtle floral motif transforms your space into a private retreat, offering solace amidst a hectic world.

In my practice, I meticulously select artworks chosen not only for their aesthetic appeal but also for their potent, therapeutic benefits.

Each piece serves as daily inspiration—a quiet invitation to experience calm and well-being. For example, our Hilton project demonstrates how hospitality resorts integrate nature-inspired art not only for its visual impact but also as a medium of healing; here, a collaboration with a local artist produced a masterful installation that functions both as a statement piece and a source of well-being.

3. Bespoke Brilliance: Celebrating Your Unique Narrative

Luxury design is profoundly personal. Bespoke art transcends mass-produced décor by capturing your unique story—whether through a custom mural reminiscent of your favourite botanical garden or silk wallpapers that evoke the allure of exotic landscapes.

Each personalised creation turns your walls into a living narrative of cherished memories and distinctive taste. Consider how a thoughtfully designed space can reflect your individuality and elevate your living experience.

4. Sculptural Elegance: Redefining Spatial Dynamics

Art is not confined to two dimensions. Three-dimensional sculptural works bring vitality to interiors by adding depth, texture, and tactile allure.

Picture a gracefully sculpted piece—a marble table echoing the gentle rhythm of ocean waves or a repurposed bronze branch serving as an elegant room divider.

Such statement sculptures command attention while seamlessly integrating form with function and providing a natural conversation starter in any refined space.

5. Architectural Artistry: When Structure Meets Art

A truly sophisticated home elegantly merges art with architecture. Imagine a residence where bespoke staircases curve with elegance, where hand-carved wooden doors evoke the intricate beauty of nature, and where expansive windows frame breathtaking vistas.

In these spaces, every architectural detail contributes to a cohesive canvas of artistic expression. As you envision your own home, consider how your surroundings can be thoughtfully designed to reflect both beauty and purpose.

6. Furniture as Functional Art: Merging Practicality with Mastery

In luxury interiors, even the functional becomes exceptional through artful design. Consider a one-of-a-kind, hand-carved pink marble swivel chair—a masterpiece where practicality meets refined craftsmanship.

More than just a piece of furniture, this chair sparks conversation and serves as an emblem of creative innovation and exclusivity.

Let this be a symbol of how every element in your home might reflect your dedication to exquisite artistry.

7. Digital Sophistication: The Future of Artistic Expression

In an age defined by rapid technological advancement, digital art installations offer a contemporary twist on traditional forms.

High-resolution displays now present dynamic landscapes—a cascade of waterfalls, the quiet majesty of a forest, or a serene digital ocean vista—that adapt and evolve with your environment.

This modern element seamlessly aligns cutting-edge technology with timeless aesthetics, ensuring your space remains as innovative as it is elegant.

8. Luxurious Textiles and Furnishings: The Essence of Understated Elegance

Luxury is often revealed in the details: the textures, colours, and fabrics that together create a haven of understated splendour.

Bespoke silk cushions with intricate botanical embroidery, sumptuous velvet throws that evoke tropical charm, and bedding that mirrors the ethereal beauty of cloudscapes all contribute to an atmosphere of refined elegance and comfort.

Every tactile detail is chosen to evoke warmth and stand as a testament to your taste for excellence.

9. Refined Heritage: Honouring Timeless Craftsmanship

In the realm of luxury, tradition and modernity exist in perfect harmony. Integrating timeless antiques—such as a rare Vladimir Kagan couch or a coveted Hans Wegner chair—with contemporary design creates a dialogue that honours both heritage and innovation.

These storied pieces carry with them a legacy of masterful craftsmanship, adding layers of significance and depth to your living environment. They remind us that true elegance is built upon a foundation of enduring quality.

10. The Art of Personal Meaning: Crafting Your Legacy

Ultimately, art is the language through which you express your unique legacy.

Every carefully chosen piece reflects a part of your personal journey, turning your living space into a narrative as emotionally resonant as it is visually stunning.

It imbues your environment with memories, aspirations, and the essence of who you are—a living masterpiece that evolves with time.

Reflect on how these elements might not only beautify your home but also stand as timeless expressions of your personal story.

Now is the moment to immerse yourself fully in the joy of art. Elevate your surroundings and transform your residence into your greatest masterpiece.

Your heart, your legacy, and your space deserve nothing less than extraordinary artistry.

Ozge Fettahlioglu is the founder of Cocoplum | Biophilic Design Studio and Boxareno | Custom Modular Constructions. A wellness and biophilic design leader, she creates bespoke spaces that inspire, heal, and elevate daily living. Ozge is also a board member of Biophilic Cities Australia.

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8 Home Loans Every Self-Employed Buyer Should Know About

For self-employed Australians, navigating the mortgage market can be complex—especially when income documentation doesn’t fit the standard mould. In this guide, Stephen Andrianakos, Director of Red Door Financial Group, outlines eight flexible loan structures designed to support business owners, freelancers, and entrepreneurs.

1. Full-Doc Loan
A full-doc loan is the most straightforward and competitive option for self-employed borrowers with up-to-date tax returns and financials. Lenders assess two years of tax returns, assessment notices, and business financials. This type of loan offers high borrowing capacity, access to features like offset accounts and redraw facilities, and fixed and variable rate choices.

2. Low-Doc Loan
Low-doc loans are designed for borrowers who can’t provide the usual financial documentation, such as those in start-up mode or recently expanded businesses. Instead of full tax returns, lenders accept alternatives like profit and loss statements or accountant’s declarations. While rates may be slightly higher, these loans make finance accessible where banks might otherwise decline.

3. Standard Variable Rate Loan
A standard variable loan moves with the market and offers flexibility in repayments, extra contributions, and redraw options. It’s ideal for borrowers who want to manage repayments actively or pay off their loans faster when income permits. With access to over 40 lenders, brokers can help match borrowers with a variable product suited to their financial strategy.

4. Fixed Rate Loan
A fixed-rate loan offers repayment certainty over a set term—typically one to five years. It’s popular with borrowers seeking predictability, especially in volatile rate environments. While fixed loans offer fewer flexible features, their stability can be valuable for budgeting and cash flow planning.

5. Split Loan
A split loan combines fixed and variable portions, giving borrowers the security of a fixed rate on part of the loan and the flexibility of a variable rate on the other. This structure benefits self-employed clients with irregular income, allowing them to lock in part of their repayment while keeping some funds accessible.

6. Construction Loan
Construction loans release funds in stages aligned with the building process, from the initial slab to completion. These loans suit clients building a new home or undertaking major renovations. Most lenders offer interest-only repayments during construction, switching to principal-and-interest after the build. Managing timelines and approvals is key to a smooth experience.

7. Interest-Only Loan
Interest-only loans allow borrowers to pay just the interest portion of the loan for a set period, preserving cash flow. This structure is often used during growth phases in business or for investment purposes. After the interest-only period, the loan typically converts to principal-and-interest repayments.

8. Offset Home Loan
An offset home loan links your savings account to your mortgage, reducing the interest charged on the loan. For self-employed borrowers with fluctuating income, it’s a valuable tool for managing cash flow while still reducing interest and accelerating loan repayment. The funds remain accessible, offering both flexibility and efficiency.

Red Door Financial Group is a Melbourne-based brokerage firm that offers personalised financial solutions for residential, commercial, and business lending.

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Shein’s Bargain-App Formula Crumbles Under Trump

The meteoric popularity among American shoppers of China-founded app Shein was greatly helped by duty-free shipping of its ultra-cheap fashion. After President Trump closed that option for Chinese goods, its clothes will now bear the full impact of his new tariffs.

The U.S. tariffs imposed on Wednesday and China’s retaliation throw a wet blanket over all goods trade between the two countries. For Shein, the additional impact of Trump’s move to end the so-called de mini m is exemption for China means a double hit and perhaps the most pivotal challenge for the fashion giant, whose links to China have long landed it at the center of U.S.-China tensions.

The fashion giant had already shifted its plans for an initial public offering from New York to London, where it had hoped to list by June. But Trump’s new tariffs on China and elimination of duty-free exemption for China on goods valued at $800 or less effective May 2 makes its prospects of going public at all increasingly dim.

The nimble supply chain that Shein prides itself on now faces enormous pressure to keep costs low.

“Shein will probably have to reinvent the wheel,” said Vinci Zhang , an analyst at research and analytics firm M Science. “It’s almost certain they will raise the price, otherwise they won’t survive.”

Shein didn’t respond to a request for comment.

Because Trump only ended the de minimis option for China, Shein could still ship wares to the U.S. tariff-free from other countries. Shein had encouraged some suppliers to move their factories to Vietnam, but Trump’s announcement last week of 46% tariffs on goods from Vietnam has undermined such efforts. On Wednesday, Trump authorized a 90-day delay on most tariffs while increasing tariffs on China.

Cathy Lin , who runs a Guangzhou-based contract manufacturer that supplies Shein and its Chinese rival Temu, has put on hold her plan to set up a factory in Vietnam. “Moving there might not be a once-and-for-all solution,” she said. Lin said she has found two partners in Macau and Vietnam who can temporarily help ship parcels to the U.S.

Trump first tried to end the duty-free exemption for China in February, but had to delay the crackdown to let the Commerce Department set up a system to process inspections and levies on the shipments. Shein, now based in Singapore, has argued that the de minimis exemption isn’t critical to its success. Nevertheless, during the two-month reprieve, Shein has scrambled to prepare.

Shein, whose clothing, on average, costs 20% to 35% less than fast-fashion rivals such as Zara and H&M , has raised prices on some items in the past two months. Eight sellers on Shein and Temu, which also increased some prices, said orders from the U.S. have fallen by 20% to 50% in March compared with January.

After Trump’s latest tariff announcement, Brian Luo , who runs a U.S. delivery company that helps companies such as Shein and Temu get parcels to U.S. customers, said the delivery orders he received for Monday plunged to 1,600 from a daily average of 4,000.

“Once the tariffs are added, people might shift back to Amazon , especially because their delivery speed is faster,” Luo said.

Under the new U.S. tariffs, apparel imported from China could face total levies close to 150%, according to Sheng Lu, professor of fashion and apparel studies at the University of Delaware.

Shein has no customers in China, though it subcontracts with thousands of factories there to power its enormous selection of cheap apparel and respond to fleeting consumer tastes. The company has been diversifying its supply chain in the past few years and now also manufactures in Brazil and Turkey, closer to its consumers in North America and Europe.

In recent months, Shein has been in talks with manufacturers in the U.S. to produce some of its clothing there, people familiar with the matter said. More than one-third of Temu’s U.S. orders are now fulfilled by sellers with inventory in the U.S.

In a rare public comment, commerce officials in Guangzhou, where many Shein suppliers are based, told a Communist Party-controlled newspaper that Shein was increasing investments in China and denied that its suppliers are moving out of China.

Nonetheless, Goldman Sachs analysts on Monday lowered forecasts for Temu’s gross sales by as much as a third to a range of $63 billion to $84 billion.

Temu, owned by Chinese e-commerce company PDD Holdings , didn’t respond to a request for comment.

Last year, companies sent small packages worth $46 billion to the U.S. from China under the de minimis exception, representing 11% of U.S. imports from China, Nomura economists estimated.

While the U.S. is one of its biggest markets, Shein sells to more than 150 countries.

In a chat group on WeChat with more than 200 merchants who sell to American consumers on Shein or Temu, vendors raced to come up with contingency plans. “If I can’t sell to the U.S., that’s OK. There are still other good markets,” said Wang Xianwei , a kitchen-utensil seller in China.

But Shein has run into regulatory and political issues around the world. The European Union is also looking to close its own version of the de minimis provision, and some countries have already ended similar loopholes.

Shein’s revenue grew 19% to around $38 billion in 2024, below the increases of 40% or more that the company had seen in the past few years, people familiar with the retailer said.

Since its New York listing plans collapsed, Shein has strengthened its focus on compliance to meet political and regulatory challenges. Its London IPO application has been awaiting approval from Chinese and British regulators since last June.

“Trump’s tariffs and other policies are closing the window for the IPO,” said a person close to Beijing’s thinking.

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Château Immanuel: A Grand Hinterland Escape with a Private Lake

Created by the current owners Helene and Nick Van Der Merwe, the European-inspired five-bedroom mansion was listed a year ago but has just resurfaced with an $11 million price guide through Melissa Schembri and Daniel Rees of Queensland Sotheby’s International Realty. 

An iconic estate behind a secure gated entry, the 1340sq m property features a long tree-lined driveway leading up to a stately turning circle and grand water feature, manicured lawns, ornamental gardens and a private lake. 

Unfolding across one of the hinterland’s most tightly held pockets, the landmark residence was even crowned the Master Builders Sunshine Coast House of the Year upon its completion in 2012. 

Château Immanuel was a two-year labour of love for the pair. Mrs Van Der Merwe said the couple, who have decided to relocate to a cattle farm, will miss the home’s year-round versatility. 

“I’ll miss the serenity for sure. When the gate closes behind you, the busy world is left behind. It’s private and quiet, our own little bubble of paradise. In winter, I enjoy sitting in front of our bedroom fireplace with a good novel, chocolates, and red wine. In summer, I love being outside on the patio, sharing fabulous food and laughter with friends,” she said, adding that the house is a great entertainer inside and out. 

“It’s grand and spacious, yet warm, comfortable, and inviting. Everyone loves dancing under the stars,” she said. 

Hand-picked finishes include Italian flagstone flooring, Portuguese limestone fireplaces, ceiling roses imported from the US and French chandeliers. 

The residence’s main wing has a dramatic foyer with 9m ceilings, which opens through to multiple formal and informal living areas focused on the vast covered patio for seamless outdoor entertaining. 

The contemporary kitchen has stone bench tops, a long, expansive central island, a walk-in pantry, and commercial-grade appliances including a double oven and gas cooktop tucked behind bespoke cabinetry. 

The outdoor room has multiple seating zones with bronze chandeliers, an integrated alfresco kitchen, and a stone fireplace overlooking a 14m swimming pool and gazebo. 

A palatial primary bedroom suite sits in its own wing and is home to a sitting area, private terrace, fireplace, walk-in robe, a deluxe dressing room and a spa-like ensuite with a sunken tub. 

An upper level houses a second spacious retreat with a bath ensuite, fireplace and balcony. 

Across the expansive layout the self-contained guest annex adds more flexibility for extended family or visitors, containing three more bedrooms with ensuites, a separate kitchen, an open plan living zone and a courtyard. 

Additional features at Château Immanuel include ducted air-conditioning and vacuuming, an integrated sound system, security, a 10kW solar system with a generator backup and an irrigation system. The grounds have a self-contained artist’s studio, a large shed, a dog run, ornamental ponds, antique statues and a four-car garage. 

Château Immanuel is close to Maroochydore CBD and the international airport, 30 minutes to Noosa, and under an hour to Brisbane. 

Offered through an expressions of interest campaign, Château Immanuel has a guide of $11 million via Melissa Schembri and Daniel Rees of Queensland Sotheby’s International Realty. 

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Why Swimwear Star Rebecca Klodinsky Walked Away From a Celebrity-Favourite Brand

From the outside, it looked like a dream. Rebecca Klodinsky had built a globally recognised swimwear label from scratch. IIXIIST, the brand she launched in 2013 with just $2,000 and a vision, became an instant cult hit — worn by the likes of Kim Kardashian, Kylie Jenner, and Hailey Bieber, and stocked internationally. For years, it defined her.

But in 2023, Klodinsky walked away.

“IIXIIST was my first business, my breakthrough, my identity for almost a decade,” she reflects. “Closing it wasn’t easy. It wasn’t clean. But it was necessary.”

The decision, she says, was about more than business. It was personal. “Letting go of IIXIIST felt like a death. Not just of a brand, but of a version of myself that I’d spent years building from scratch,” Klodinsky explains. “Over time, it became heavy. The pace, the pressure, the expectations. I was evolving, but the business stayed the same.”

And so, after a decade of high-speed success and global recognition, she shut the doors.

“There’s this idea that quitting means you’ve failed. But no one really talks about the bravery it takes to walk away from something successful—just because it no longer fits.”

That space — the space left behind — would become The Prestwick Place.

Launched in 2019 on the Gold Coast with her now-husband, former AFL player Lachie Henderson, The Prestwick Place is everything IIXIIST wasn’t: slower, intentional, and rooted in ethical luxury. The label specialises in lab-grown diamonds and handcrafted fine jewellery, with full pricing transparency and zero mass production.

“From day one it felt different,” says Klodinsky. “It was slower, more meaningful, and deeply aligned with who I’d become. For the first time in a long time, I wasn’t chasing. I was choosing.”

The numbers speak for themselves. With more than $3 million in annual revenue, 89% customer retention, and 75% of sales happening on a customer’s first visit — most via Instagram — The Prestwick Place has quietly become a category leader in the luxury jewellery space.

Still, Klodinsky is candid about what it took to get here. “Letting go of IIXIIST wasn’t just a business decision—it was emotional. I grieved it. I questioned myself. But I learned that just because something is working doesn’t mean it’s right.”

Now fully immersed in her new venture, Klodinsky says the shift has given her something far more valuable than profile or prestige: clarity.

“What IIXIIST gave me was invaluable. But what The Prestwick Place gave me was space—to grow, to evolve, and to build something that reflects where I am now.”

Her next chapter isn’t just about jewellery. It’s about alignment. About building something that fits not just the market — but the maker.

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We’re Living in a Moment for ‘Great Art’ Creation, Says Collector Valeria Napoleone

After more than three decades of collecting, Valeria Napoleone isn’t changing her perspective.

The Italian art collector, whose self-estimated 580-piece collection consists primarily of female artists, has moved around and currently calls New York City home, but has a broadstroke view on her art assemblage ahead of her 60th birthday later this year.

“I rotate and change things quite often,” she said. “I want to live with my art, and when you change a piece, it resets the room.”

Sculpture is a particular focus for Napoleone, who’s helped elevate a range of emerging female sculptors over the past decade through her collaboration with SculptureCenter in New York.

Her ongoing collecting includes creators such as Italian artist Margherita Manzelli, Dutch painter Lily van der Stokker and German artist Nicole Wermers.

Napoleone is also the co-chair of New York University’s President’s Global Council and funds an annual professor role at the intersection of art and gender studies. Her homes in New York and London are revolving testaments to support of female-created and female-powered art, and she teased an upcoming project in Milan that will be another significant moment to showcase portions of her collection.

“What I buy in the U.S. mainly stays here, and it’s the same in the U.K. and Europe, but my largest storage area is in the U.K.,” she said.

Napoleone’s prominent role as a voice for female artists, both emerging and established, comes at a moment when new channels of accessibility and growth for these artists are being challenged by rollbacks in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs in higher education alongside a general overall slowdown in the art market.

Mansion Global caught up with Napoleone on a video call while she was at her New York City residence.

Mansion Global: How do you stay motivated to find emerging female artists to add to your collection?

Valeria   Napoleone: Sometimes, I feel like, “do I need another piece?” I want to contribute, and always be impactful with what I do. I like to collect artists in the middle of their career, and the motivation is just to support and be impactful.

It’s important to give to the artist to make a difference, and as a collector sometimes I think ‘no, I don’t need another one,’ but it’s not an option to not continue collecting.

Is there an artist you haven’t collected yet, but would like to?

(American sculptor) Cady Noland. In the mid-1990s, women were trying new languages across art, and I found that very inspiring. Cady is the godmother of that generation, and her work isn’t only rare, but it’s also very expensive. I also don’t have to own everything in life, and her work might be something I can admire from a distance.

You once mentioned that you ‘generally only buy pieces that contribute massively to contemporary discourse.’ How do you define that portion of the discourse?

Our family’s agenda is to bring together exceptional female artists. Some are political, some are formal, but each of them have their own voice. I don’t look at this in terms of gender politics, but rather with new languages and new ideas.

I want to be surprised by the way the artist takes me into the issues. It’s a very personal reaction, but it has to tick boxes. I buy what I deeply connect to.

As an active member of leadership within higher education, are you concerned about how active attacks on DEI and similar initiatives might affect the accessibility and growth of female artists?

I think female artists have resilience. They’ve been totally ignored forever, and if anything this moment will make them more eager to get their voice out there. Usually, great art comes from moments of crisis and significance because there’s this sense of urgency. Female artists have been suffering forever, and they will continue to work and be recognized.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

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Harley-Davidson Seeks New CEO, While Grappling With Sales Slump, Tariffs

Wanted: CEO for iconic (but challenged) motorcycle maker.

Harley-Davidson is seeking a replacement for Chief Executive Jochen Zeitz, who the company said Tuesday plans to retire after five years on the job.

Harley said it retained an executive search firm late last year after Zeitz expressed interest in retiring. He will remain in his position until a successor is chosen.

During his tenure, Zeitz has boosted Harley’s profit but has seen sales of the bikes continue to decline . The company last year sold 151,000 motorcycles worldwide, less than half as many as it sold in 2008.

Shares in Harley and other power-sports manufacturers dropped sharply Tuesday as investors’ worries about tariffs and a possible recession mounted. Harley stock closed at $20.82, down nearly 9%.

Zeitz, a longtime board member, took over in 2020 as the Covid-19 pandemic took hold and kept the Milwaukee-based company running , despite factory closings and supply-chain tangles. As CEO he has prioritized profits over volume, cutting money-losing entry-level bikes from the lineup to focus on more expensive cruising and touring models.

The strategy was different than one implemented by his predecessor, Matt Levatich, whose “More Roads to Harley-Davidson” plan called for dozens of new models to broaden the brand’s appeal. Levatich left the company after an activist investor said the approach had led to poor financial performance.

Zeitz has said Harley is faring better than its competitors, as the industry suffers from high interest rates and low consumer confidence. Harley’s prospects have also been shaken in the trade war launched by the Trump administration, with the European Union threatening to impose 50% tariffs on the company’s bikes .

The motorcycle maker said in March that bikes imported into the U.S., which receive a 2.4% tariff at most, should face reciprocal duties to even the playing field.

Harley’s network of dealers often criticized Zeitz as being out of touch with the brand’s distinct culture. He grew up in Germany and had made his name rescuing sportswear company Puma , but as sales continued to decline, some said he didn’t understand what made Harley riders tick.

“This company has a great future under someone else’s direction,” said Mark Forszt , a dealer with six locations in Indiana. “Hopefully they’ll bring someone in with knowledge of Harley-Davidson culture.”

Justin Johnson, operating partner at St. Paul Harley-Davidson in Minnesota, gave Zeitz credit for kick-starting the development of popular new touring models that came out last year.

“That was the fastest I’ve ever seen Harley bring something to market,” Johnson said.

Harley faces numerous challenges, including an aging customer base. Dealers say entry-level models have failed to capture the appeal of their predecessor, the Sportster, which was phased out to comply with tightening air-quality standards.

The company’s electric-motorcycle spinoff, LiveWire , which launched in 2019, has seen losses in excess of $100 million while shipping fewer than 700 bikes in each of the past two years. Zeitz indicated on a quarterly conference call in February that he was losing patience with the project.

Zeitz was thrust into America’s culture wars last summer when conservative activist Robby Starbuck accused Harley of becoming “totally woke” under the CEO’s leadership. That stirred up a whirlwind of social-media criticism, including some from elected officials, and the company backed away from some initiatives.

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California Mansion John Stamos Built During ‘Full House’ Heyday Lists for $13 Million

A Los Angeles-area mansion that was built by actor John Stamos hit the market last week for nearly $13 million.

Located in the hills of Calabasas, Stamos built the Mediterranean-style home in 1992 after buying the 6-acre property in 1991 for $430,000, records on PropertyShark show. He owned the home for about a decade, selling it in 2001 for $2.15 million.

The current owners, Justin and Candace Aguilera, bought the home in early 2020 for $2.95 million, records show. Though the home’s interior was dated at the time, Justin Aguilera said they were attracted by “the bones of the house.”

“We thought, ‘This could be amazing,’ but the whole house hadn’t been touched since the early ’90s,” he said.

Over about two years, the Aguileras entirely remodeled both the home and its grounds. Inside, book-matched Panda marble flooring—white marble with black patterns—is heavily featured throughout the house. They also added an elaborate crystal chandelier that’s about 15 feet in size and a two-sided fireplace to the formal living room, which is just beyond the entrance.

The 8,100-square-foot home has six bedrooms and six bathrooms, including an approximately 2,500-square-foot primary suite, which Aguilera said is one of his favorite spaces in the house. The primary bedroom has high vaulted ceilings, and the suite also includes a sitting area with a fireplace, a wet bar, a bathroom with dramatic black marble and a “glam room” with a salon-style setup for doing hair and makeup.

As the home was designed for entertaining, there are bars both inside and outside, with the indoor bar room featuring marble flooring, black coffered ceilings and seating for at least six.

The Aguileras also completed renovation work outside. They replastered the pool—which also has a hot tub and a grotto—added 350 landscape lights and redid about 5,000 square feet of patio space with travertine.

In addition to aesthetic upgrades, the Aguileras also made sure to fireproof the property.

“On the hill, on the hardscape, we added a sprinkler system, so we don’t have to worry about a fire,” Aguilera said.

Sitting up on a hill, the home overlooks the Malibu Canyon, and the Aguileras put in large gridless windows throughout the home so as to not break up the view.

“In the morning, since we’re so high on the hill, when the clouds come in from the coast, they always sit below you,” Aguilera said. “So you’re looking at a blanket of fog—it looks like a waterfall.”

The property’s acreage provides room for the next owners to expand, including with the option to add a helipad, according to Compass, which is marketing the property. Alessandro Corona holds the listing.

Also this week, the San Francisco townhome that was featured in “Full House”—in which Stamos starred as Uncle Jesse— sold for $6 million . The home had previously been renovated by the “Full House” creator , Jeff Franklin, who is now selling his Beverly Hills megamansion.

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New Zealand Wants Rich Foreigners to Come Live There. Americans Are Beating a Path.

New Zealand has created a new, easier path to residency for wealthy people, and it’s attracting attention from Americans looking for an alternative to living in the U.S.

According to New Zealand Trade and Enterprise—the government’s international business development agency—70% of incoming inquiries into a revised program leading to permanent residency in the country are from the U.S.

A spokesperson with the agency said it remains to be seen whether those inquiries turn into the same level of visa applications. Still, the inquiries are evidence that Americans are interested.

“There’s a huge increase in demand from the U.S.,” said Dominic Jones, managing director of Greener Pastures New Zealand, which helps those applying for the country’s so-called Golden Visa to find investment opportunities.

Many U.S. citizens are seeking residency in New Zealand—as well as other countries —as a “plan B” during President Donald Trump’s administration, according to immigration attorney David Lesperance. Many of these are applicants who worry Trump could exact retribution on them or their families for perceived slights, in addition to those who have family members that could face discrimination because of their sexual orientation. Some are concerned about the future of the U.S. economy.

For those with the money, reallocating $2.88 million in assets from the U.S. to New Zealand for three years—as the new requirements allow—isn’t a heavy lift, Lesperance said. “Depending on foreign exchange and returns on investment over this time, the cost could easily be zero or positive,” he wrote in an April 2 blog post.

Investment visa

The island country is also only requiring applicants to be physically present for 21 days over three years, depending on which category of investment visa they pursue.

“These applicants are people who are in a financial position to look at this as an asset reallocation and one or two vacations in the next three years in exchange for a permanent insurance policy in a first-world country,” Lesperance told Barron’s.

U.S. citizens have long been interested in living in New Zealand. About 38% of applicants to a previous program with stricter requirements that was in effect from September 2022 through April 1 this year were from the U.S., according to the trade and enterprise agency.

That program required a four-year investment of between NZ$5 million and NZ$15 million ($2.88 million and $8.4 million) in the country, with the amount varying depending on the type of investment. It also required being in the country at least 117 days over four years and passing an English language test—which was more an annoyance than an impediment for U.S. citizens.

Wealthy investors consider New Zealand as a residency option because of the country’s lifestyle, climate, and dramatic, beautiful landscapes, according to Jones. It’s also a stable, English-speaking democracy with a free economy, and it’s safe, he said.

“We’re on the other side of the world,” Jones said. “We don’t tend to get involved in global conflicts. The drive to safety isn’t why all people all choose Golden Visas, but it’s why people choose the New Zealand option.”

The revised New Zealand Active Active Investor Plus Visa program that went into effect on April 1 eases up on the previous requirements through the introduction of two categories for obtaining permanent residency.

Growth category

Under a “growth” category, applicants need to invest $2.88 million for three years directly into privately owned New Zealand-based companies that have been approved by the trade and enterprise agency, or in New Zealand managed funds that are invested in the local economy, Jones said.

Applicants are only required to be in New Zealand for 21 days during the three-year investment period, and they don’t have to pass an English test.

A second “balanced” category requires a minimum $5.6 million over five years, but allows it to be invested more passively in listed stocks, government bonds, and New Zealand-based corporate bonds, Jones said. It also requires applicants to be present in the country for at least 105 days over five years.

Once the requirements are met during the three- or five-year period, applicants achieve permanent residency in New Zealand, even if they no longer spend time in the country, according to Lesperance.

The growth category was structured to be quicker and more attractive, to encourage applicants to make meaningful, active investments in the country with the potential to spur economic growth and create jobs.

“What our government is trying to do is attract capital, but also put it into forms of enterprise where the impact on the economy is material,” Jones said.