Autumn is almost here! How we have missed you! But most of all we’ve missed those crisp, clear mornings, eventide bonfires, and dark nights under the stars.   

To that end, Luxury Defined presents a collection of homes with enchanting outdoor spaces warmed by firelight for that cozy autumnal soiree. Whether on a lavish garden terrace or a casual pool deck, that welcoming hearth or firepit glow can transform an outdoor space into an alluring venue for alfresco relaxation and contemplation.   

Autumn nights, starlit firelights, smoke rises, like bright sparks our spirits fly.  

1. Beargrass Lodge at Iron Horse, Whitefish, Montana  

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Constructed in 2023, Beargrass Lodge is privately situated on 1.5 acres in the Iron Horse golf community in Whitefish, Montana, minutes from Whitefish Lake and the four-season Whitefish Mountain Resort.  

Fully furnished and turnkey-ready, the 8,524-square-foot stone and timber residence is well suited to year-round entertaining. The great room, with its cathedral ceiling and monumental log-burning hearth, has double-height windows onto the great outdoors. Adjoining is a custom kitchen with a butler's pantry and an alfresco space for cookouts under the stars.   

The six generously scaled bedrooms are appointed with the same handcrafted stonework and timber accents. The main suite has another wood-burning fireplace and its own patio. Above is a living roof with self-contained plant modules.    

The home’s lower floor is dedicated to the wine cellar, boot/ski room, and indoor-outdoor entertainment zone, complete with a game room, bar, and a heated patio with a sunken hot tub. Beyond are wildflower meadows and forests of fir and aspen.  

2. Beaux Arts Townhouse in Chicago, Illinois  

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This historic circa-1894 Chicago property resides on the tree-lined block of North State Parkway, one of the most coveted streets in Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood.  

The stately, five-story Beaux Arts mansion was designed by George W. Maher, an architect best known for his Prairie style, and a long-time friend of Frank Lloyd Wright.    

The 9,700-square-foot interior underwent a gut renovation, but its Gilded Age splendor remains in the proportions and the craftsmanship: rift and quarter-sawn parquet floors, ornate crown moldings, 12-foot ceilings, gallery walls, and Versailles-inspired library.    

Four of the six bedrooms are suites, including the sumptuous third-floor primary suite, with its wood-burning fireplace, deluxe bath, walk-in closet, and, just across the hall, an office and lounge.   

The fourth-floor family room has a wood-burning hearth and French doors out to a beautifully landscaped rooftop terrace with an outdoor fireplace, built-in grill, and cityscape views. A galley kitchen, full bathroom, and guest bedroom round out this level.   

Further highlights of this remarkable home are the dream kitchen, with doors to a sunny terrace; a game room; guest quarters; a garage; and gated private parking—all just steps from Oak Street’s designer boutiques and restaurants.  

3. Blue Cay Beach Estate in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands  

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With its 220 feet of water frontage, this contemporary beachfront villa is a tropical escape in Blue Cay, a luxurious resort community on the isle of Providenciales, in the Turks and Caicos Islands.   

The opulent primary suite occupies the entire second floor of the five-bedroom, five-bathroom main villa, with its own private terrace and a Brazilian ipe-wood pergola. Materials and finishes, sourced from around the world, include Italian porcelain tiles and African mahogany cabinetry.    

There’s a full range of in-home technologies: indoor-outdoor Sonos audio, Lutron blinds, remote-access lighting, CCTV security, and MistAway mosquito control, and a backup generator.   

The 800-square-foot, self-contained guest house provides additional accommodations, ample storage, and a two-car garage.  

 Waterside, a 65-foot dock provides a 20,000-pound boat lift. Steps lead down to 127 feet of sandy beachfront and a private, 180-foot pier with a swim deck, including a private terrace and an ipe-wood pergola over the water.  

Related: Discover Homes with Expansive Terraces 

4. Casa Blanca Villa in Paradise Valley, Arizona  

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Paradise Valley’s coveted Casa Blanca Phase 3 gated development is the setting for this effortlessly chic turnkey villa inspired by Spanish Revival and Moroccan architecture.  

The detached corner lot, gated for privacy, encloses low-maintenance xeriscaped grounds, where a stone fountain and raised kiva-style fireplace frames the sunset views over majestic Camelback Mountain.   

Inside, the two-bedroom, two-bathroom villa, the high-ceiling living spaces are executed in a soothing neutral palette of sand and cream, and illuminated by a brand-new Lutron lighting system and automated shades.  

The custom breakfast-bar kitchen is fitted with Thermador appliances, marble and quartz counters, and oak floors, and imbued with natural light.    

The Casa Blanca 3 development’s resort amenities include a sports court and three heated pools for recreation and relaxation. The complex, with its manned guard gate, is minutes from Fashion Square Mall and Paradise Valley's best shopping and restaurants.  

5. Modernist Coastal Villa in Poreč, Istria, Croatia  

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Linear forms and organic elements harmonize in this contemporary eco-villa near historic old town Poreč, a UNESCO World Heritage site on Croatia's Istrian Peninsula.    

Skylights run the entire length of the roof. The interiors are stylishly appointed and equipped with the latest technologies: solar power, heat pump and fan coil units, underfloor heating throughout, security surveillance and motion detector alarm systems.  

The formal dining and living rooms, integrated kitchen, and billiards lounge are bisected by two floating staircases. The four upstairs bedrooms are all en suite with access to two terraces and a sundeck.  

 Below is a pool terrace with an infinity pool—with a glass wall for visual effect. Adjacent to the pool, separated only by glass, is a firepit and sunken lounge.   

A hot tub, sauna, and four parking spaces are further amenities. The residence is gated within a private enclave of three homes, slated for completion in late 2024.  

Searching for a four-season fireside escape? Find it here.