"Work and play are words used to describe the same thing under differing conditions."
- Mark Twain
It logically follows that luxury living must include at least the possibility of, well, luxury working.
Or even—dare we say it?—luxury telecommuting.
Whether we’re wrangling spreadsheets across five time zones, coding the Next Big Thing, or even crafting the screenplay for a mid-budget mini-series, we crave that comfortable custom chair, that big, wide desk, and a dedicated space in which to wrangle, code, and craft.
Integrating lifestyle and workstyle is a hallmark of luxury living. Thus, Luxury Defined presents a collection of properties with innovatively designed offices and workspaces that inspire creativity and productivity inside and outside the nine to five.
Built with the work-life balance in mind, residents at this opulent equestrian estate near Atlanta need never leave home.
This eight-acre equestrian estate in the affluent Atlanta suburb of Marietta, Georgia, has an idyllic locale just across from the great Chattahoochee River.
The main residence is a grand manor, redesigned as a sustainable “smart house” kitted out with the latest lifestyle features and green technologies, including tankless water heaters and EV-charging stations. 
The foyer, with its regal double staircase, the great room, the elegant office, the chef’s kitchen, and indeed all the principal rooms reflect the grandeur of the past with their handcrafted details and classical proportions, yet with a fresh, contemporary twist.
The meticulously tended grounds are arrayed for recreation and relaxation, with tree-lined walking trails, a saltwater pool and spa, tennis court, playground, gazebo, greenhouse, and a scenic pond with a boat dock.
The equestrian complex has a five-stall barn, five pastures, and a paddock. The detached two-story carriage house (with workshop, two-car garage, and two baths) could be repurposed as a private office or studio, caretaker’s cottage, or a vacation rental.
2. Luxury Italian-Designed Mansion in Dubai Hills, Dubai, UAE
American oak panels warm the sleek lines of this contemporary office/study with a picturesque garden view.
Brand new and meticulously crafted, this dazzling, four-level contemporary villa in Dubai Hills’ Fairways redefines luxury throughout its 15,335 square feet.
The open-plan common space has double-height windows and doors, and floor-to-ceiling built-in cabinetry. It flows from the sleek kitchen (kitted with Gaggenau appliances) to the dining space, the family lounge, and media room.
There are five palatial bedrooms and seven full bathrooms. The highlight is the opulent primary suite with its own private living space, vast walk-in closets, onyx-accented marble bathrooms, and a view of the Burj Khalifa. Also on the first level is an intimate family room.
Further amenities include a sleek home office, paneled in American oak; a private salon, or majlis, for receiving visitors; a spa and beauty salon; an elevator serving all levels; and a subterranean garage with parking for six vehicles.
Heightening the sense of luxury are an expansive outdoor pool terrace and a rooftop sundeck with panoramic views of the Burj Khalifa and the Dubai skyline.
3. Shepherd Mountain Estate in Austin, Texas
Shepherd Mountain Estate marries comfort with functionality in one of Austin's premier locations.
This elegant stone mansion offers clear views of Texas Hill Country from its leafy one-acre grounds on Austin’s Shepherd Mountain.
The interiors are airy and roomy, with high ceilings and ample fenestration to take in the views. The layout is carefully planned to maximize livability with ample space for gatherings, grand or intimate. 
The dream kitchen will please entertainers and chefs alike. Adjacent are formal and casual dining spaces.
The primary suite has a walnut walk-in closet and a spa-style bathroom. Four additional bedrooms all have luxurious private baths and landscape views.
The games room doubles as an office for telecommuting. The basement can also be repurposed as an office or conferencing suite. Previously designed for Bitcoin mining, it’s a versatile space with commercial-grade air conditioning, underfloor wiring, and two exterior entrances.
There’s a three-car garage as well as a forecourt with ample parking. Adding to the lifestyle features is an alfresco terrace with room enough for a pool—all this within a short drive of Downtown Austin.
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4. Magnificent Mansion in La Muette, Paris, France
Avant-garde living spaces, with an office, hammam, fitness center, and indoor pool, surrounded by elegant English gardens define this mansion in the genteel Parisian neighborhood of La Muette.
This magnificent Parisian mansion is the former home of pioneering French architect Jean Walter, who promoted the idea of the English Garden City in France during the 1930s.
Indeed, the residence is set within its own English garden, ensconced within the leafy environs of La Muette, a short stroll from the Bois de Boulogne.
This one-of-a-kind home has been renovated to exacting standards. The 4,405-square-foot floor plan is unique: one main level of living space flowing out to wraparound terraces and those lovely gardens which extend to nearly an acre—a rarity in the heart of Paris.
The foyer is a grand, gallery-like space for displaying fine art. At the core of the house is an immense triple reception room served by an all-white gourmet kitchen. The office is a study in blue with bold avant-garde sculptures and objets d’art.
The primary suite has a dressing room and a lavish, mosaic-tiled bathroom with a steam room and sauna. There’s also a guest bedroom and staff quarters. A media lounge, fitness room, indoor lap pool with a hammam, and a six-car underground garage are further highlights of this trophy home.
5. Bel-Air Country Club Compound in Los Angeles, California
At this masterfully designed mansion in lower Bel-Air, a contemplative office space adjoins the primary bedroom suite, with its own access to the private sundeck.
Overlooking the 15th fairway of the renowned Bel-Air Country Club, this gated contemporary compound is set in wooded, mature landscaped gardens with a pastoral lake.
The main residence, newly renovated, encloses 6,200 square feet, with a dazzling contemporary open floor plan, four magnificent bedrooms, and six and a half bathrooms. The primary suite offers dual bathrooms and a sunlit office space opening onto a spacious sundeck.
The island kitchen features high-end Viking and Bosch appliances, a breakfast room, a wine refrigerator, and an indoor brick barbecue.
The beautiful lagoon-style pool and terrace are complemented by a pool house with a gym, cozy library/reading room, and a full bathroom. The opposite, shaded pool pavilion has a fireplace. 
The nearly one-acre lot offers a serene and parklike setting with extensive views of the fairways and greens of the golf course.