Situated on over three private acres offering full views of the San Francisco Bay, this Woodside, California home combines its positioning with fascinating contemporary architecture.

Showcasing an abstract contemporary feel, the home’s style draws inspiration from renowned architect Richard Meier. An advocate of a pure form of modernism, Meier’s impressive credits include the Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art and The Getty Center in Los Angeles among many others.

That influence is reflected in the home’s striking white color and towering walls of glass oriented toward the stunning views. Also designed to withstand a magnitude 8.3 earthquake under the supervision of the original owner, a well-known structural engineer, 140,000 pounds of steel were used in construction.

Lush grounds are just as impressive with a striking terraced design with a “living rooftop” over the lower level, infinity edge pool and spa and green expanses. Inside are a two-story living room, customized library and office, and three bedroom suites on the upper level. Two multi-room apartments on the lower level are connected by a glass-enclosed courtyard positioned perfectly for poolside entertaining.

This amazing home is currently listed at $14.8 million by Luxury Portfolio member Alain Pinel Realtors.

Whaling Captain William T. Swain arrived in Nantucket in 1883, becoming a prominent lumber merchant and builder. He selected the large elevated lot at 76 Main Street – just steps from the center of town and the site of the original Hicksite Quaker meeting house – as the location for his family home.

At the desirable site, he built a Victorian mansion showcasing superior craftsmanship and boasting two porches overlooking Main Street – a definitive symbol of status seen from the passing carriages below.

Through the generations this special luxury property has undergone several changes – it once was even a prestigious inn for local guests. The current owner has improved and refurbished many details, including an extensive stonework update and garden plantings. With its outside appearance renewed, finishes repaired and systems replaced and restored, this historic home is a truly unique opportunity. It is currently listed at $4.995 million by Luxury Portfolio member J Pepper Frazier Company.

The holidays are upon us and this week and continuing throughout the season, family and friends will be getting together for good company and celebratory feasts. The thought of these gatherings inspired us to showcase some of the most extraordinary dining rooms featured on LuxuryPortfolio.com.

From a city retreat in Manhattan to an exotic Hawaiian feel, you may draw some inspiration from these luxury dining rooms while prepping your holiday meal and décor. Check out the below slideshow for a few of our favorites – for more information on the featured properties, search the Web ID from the Luxury Portfolio homepage.

Just a 30 minute drive from the center of bustling Philadelphia is an amazing 70 acre estate regarded as one of the area’s most prominent properties. Luxury Portfolio member Long & Foster® Real Estate recently listed this spectacular property, the Arbor Hill estate, at $30 million.

Located in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, the striking stone estate was designed by renowned architect Rafael Vinoly, known for creating Philadelphia’s Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts and the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the U.S. Senate.

With 40,000 square feet, the main residence of Arbor Hill is designed to display an extensive art collection and host luxurious gatherings – lavish entertaining in the estate’s history includes a performance by Elton John. Also of note are a living room with 30-foot ceiling and French doors to an expansive terrace, two dining rooms – one to accommodate up to 40 guests, and a temperature-controlled wine cellar. The property includes two stone guest houses and a converted bank barn with tennis court, sports court and two-bedroom apartment.

Our latest edition of the Luxury Portfolio Magazine is now online! Click on the cover to the right for the latest in luxury living, design trends, architecture and high-end travel.

And, enjoy nearly 150 pages of content, photos and information about the most extraordinary luxury properties in the world.

Be sure to look for the Luxury Portfolio Magazine in the U.S. at Barnes & Noble and on international newsstands in 50+ countries around the globe.

Read the press release to learn more.

A testament to the prolonged success of the rapper turned actor/producer, Mark Wahlberg’s luxury Beverly Hills home is currently on the market. The gated estate is located on a prime two acres with waterfall pool, grotto, cabanas, putting green and two bedroom, two bath guest house. Inside the home are a master suite with his and her bathrooms, state of the art kitchen, formal rooms and, naturally, an impressive 35mm digital projection theater/screening room.

The estate of the actor known for keeping himself in peak physical condition also includes a sport court for basketball, tennis or racquetball, and an incredible detached gym. The 2,500 square foot, two-story professional gym features every piece of equipment imaginable and a boxing ring Wahlberg used to train for his Oscar nominated performance in The Fighter.

Currently listed at $13.995 million by Luxury Portfolio member Hilton & Hyland, this celebrity estate showcases the best of Beverly Hills luxury in an amazing location.

Mobile technology continues to evolve and the conveniences withheld in our powerful smartphones continue to infiltrate more and more aspects of daily life. The new LuxeTrends^® newsletter takes a look at a few technology trends making their way into restaurant dining rooms.

Diners at Mundo in Sydney, Australia use an iPad to browse the menu, find more information on dishes and get suggestions on a wine pairing for their meal. MoJo iCuisine in Taiwan removes the device and incorporates the high tech interface directly into the dining table. On the tabletop interface, you can order dishes, play games, pay your bill and even choose a virtual tablecloth.

Read the latest LuxeTrends^® for more on high tech and other current dining trends - and subscribe to the e-Newsletter that features exciting design concepts, luxury lifestyle trends, destinations and more.

A stunning modern home – Compass Pointe – with spectacular views of Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains recently sold. The creation of the Whistler, British Columbia luxury home was a collaboration between a distinguished award-winning team, including architect Sean Anderson, builder Vision Pacific and designer/HGTV host Kelly Deck.

A 10-foot Italian pivot door opens into the remarkable residence which showcases natural beauty from local stone, open beams and a sandblasted wood wall made from local fir. The living area features floor to ceiling windows to admire the views, heated tile floor, beautiful beam work in the open ceiling and a stone wall made from Haddington Island stone – which is also used for notable stone carvings and statues in British Columbia.

The distinctive custom home boasts two master suites, a wine cellar, gym, recreation room with full bar, two rooftop patios and much more. It was last listed at $5,250,000 CAD by The Whistler Real Estate Co.

Hawaii Business Magazine recently announced the Top 100 Realtors in Hawaii and we want to congratulate three Luxury Portfolio members who appear in the top 25:

#1    Pat Choi – Choi International
#19  Neal Norman – Koa Properties, Land & Homes
#23  Myra Brandt – Kahala Associates

We’re thrilled our members have received this much-deserved recognition. The list was compiled based on total sales volume for transactions that closed in 2010. See the full list here.

With an ideal climate and perfect position by the sea and Santa Ynez Mountains, the prestigious community of Montecito, California offers an idyllic lifestyle. The community is a haven for many celebrities who have primary or secondary residences there, and many luxury homes are currently available, including two properties priced over $15 million recently added to LuxuryPortfolio.com.

Currently on the market for $24.5 million, this Mediterranean luxury estate was designed by architect Walter Frost and built in the 1920s using local stone quarried on-site. In 2001, the property was purchased by notable interior designer John Saladino, who transformed the property into an exclusive retreat. Renovation blended classic elements, such as 14,000 18th century Italian tiles, with modern amenities and mechanicals.

Boasting ultimate privacy and stunning panoramic ocean and mountain views, this hilltop Montecito estate spreads over 20 acres and is currently listed at $15.9 million. The newly built 12,000 square foot home provides the best of indoor-outdoor living and features a chef’s kitchen, private main level master suite and beautifully landscaped gardens.

Both of these spectacular estates are listed by Luxury Portfolio member Village Properties, covering the Santa Barbara area. Take a look at these and a number of additional Santa Barbara luxury homes on Luxury Portfolio.