This heated concrete soaking tub is embraced by a curved concrete niche wall, embossed with the image of a tree found near the home's site. Courtesy Alicia Interiors

This traditionally-styled home is the first LEED Platinum home in the City of Cincinnati.

photo by Benjamin Benschneider

Nestled into the quiet middle of a block in the historic center of the beautiful colonial town of San Miguel de Allende, this 4,500 square foot courtyard home is accessed through lush gardens with trickling fountains and a luminous lap-pool. The living, dining, kitchen, library and master suite on the ground floor open onto a series of plant filled patios that flood each space with light that changes throughout the day. Elliptical domes and hewn wooden beams sculpt the ceilings, reflecting soft colors onto curving walls. A long, narrow stairway wrapped with windows and skylights is a serene connection to the second floor ''Moroccan' inspired suite with domed fireplace and hand-sculpted tub, and "French Country" inspired suite with a sunny balcony and oval shower. A curving bridge flies through the high living room with sparkling glass railings and overlooks onto sensuously shaped built in sofas. At the third floor windows wrap every space with balconies, light and views, linking indoors to the distant mountains, the morning sun and the bubbling jacuzzi. At the rooftop terrace domes and chimneys join the cozy seating for intimate gatherings.

Sebastian Zachariah

Kitchen and dining in a Naples FL home featuring wicker chairs, exposed wood beams, open shelves, a plaster hood, and casual seating in the dining space and kitchen. Project featured in House Beautiful & Florida Design. Interior Design & Styling by Summer Thornton. Images by Brantley Photography. Brantley Photography

This shows a library murphy bed in the open position. The library doors slide from the centre to either side to allow the bed to open. The doors do not touch the floor. A wall bed like this will allow you to leave 250 lbs of books or nick nacks on the shelves. The doors are supported by 2 hawa tracks. Michael Tennant designed this murphy bed and John Tennant installed the unit for London Murphy Beds, Inc. doing business as Ontario Murphy Beds. He also took this picture of the murphy bed using an iPhone 4.

Front entry to mid-century-modern renovation with green front door with glass panel, covered wood porch, wood ceilings, wood baseboards and trim, hardwood floors, large hallway with beige walls, built-in bookcase, floor to ceiling window and sliding screen doors in Berkeley hills, California

A novel and simplistic solution to storing garden tools! Cast in place concrete with metal piping keeps everything in its place!

This laundry room features a modern cement plaster on the walls, which the homeowner wanted to preserve and show off. Normandy Designer Kathryn O'Donovan added open shelving with exposed brackets to create the overall industrial look of the room. The the walnut cabinetry and honed limestone countertop added warmth and plenty of storage to the space.

Kat Alves

This residence was designed to have the feeling of a classic early 1900’s Albert Kalin home. The owner and Architect referenced several homes in the area designed by Kalin to recall the character of both the traditional exterior and a more modern clean line interior inherent in those homes. The mixture of brick, natural cement plaster, and milled stone were carefully proportioned to reference the character without being a direct copy. Authentic steel windows custom fabricated by Hopes to maintain the very thin metal profiles necessary for the character. To maximize the budget, these were used in the center stone areas of the home with dark bronze clad windows in the remaining brick and plaster sections. Natural masonry fireplaces with contemporary stone and Pewabic custom tile surrounds, all help to bring a sense of modern style and authentic Detroit heritage to this home. Long axis lines both front to back and side to side anchor this home’s geometry highlighting an elliptical spiral stair at one end and the elegant fireplace at appropriate view lines.

Contemporary raked rooflines give drama and beautiful lines to both the exterior and interior of the home. The exterior finished in Caviar black gives a soft presence to the home while emphasizing the gorgeous natural landscaping, while the Corten roof naturally rusts and patinas. Corridors separate the different hubs of the home. The entry corridor finished on both ends with full height glass fulfills the clients vision of a home — celebration of outdoors, natural light, birds, deer, etc. that are frequently seen crossing through. The large pool at the front of the home is a unique placement — perfectly functions for family gatherings. Panoramic windows at the kitchen 7' ideal workstation open up to the pool and patio (a great setting for Taco Tuesdays). The mostly white "Gathering" room was designed for this family to host their 15+ count dinners with friends and family. Large panoramic doors open up to the back patio for free flowing indoor and outdoor dining. Poggenpohl cabinetry throughout the kitchen provides the modern luxury centerpiece to this home. Walnut elements emphasize the lines and add a warm space to gather around the island. Pearlescent plaster finishes the walls and hood of the kitchen with a soft simmer and texture. Corridors were painted Caviar to provide a visual distinction of the spaces and to wrap the outdoors to the indoors. In the master bathroom, soft grey plaster was selected as a backdrop to the vanity and master shower. Contrasted by a deep green hue for the walls and ceiling, a cozy spa retreat was created. A corner cutout on the shower enclosure brings additional light and architectural interest to the space. In the powder bathroom, a large circular mirror mimics the black pedestal vessel sinks. Amber-colored cut crystal pendants are organically suspended. A patinated copper and walnut grid was hand-finished by the client. And in the guest bathroom, white and walnut make for a classic combination in this luxury guest bath. Jedi wall sconces are a favorite of guests — we love how they provide soft lighting and a spotlight to the surface.

An interior remodel of a 1940’s French Eclectic home includes a new kitchen, breakfast, laundry, and three bathrooms featuring new cabinetry, fixtures, and patterned encaustic tile floors. Complementary in detail and substance to elements original to the house, these spaces are also highly practical and easily maintained, accommodating heavy use by our clients, their kids, and frequent guests. Other rooms, with somewhat “well-loved” woodwork, floors, and plaster are rejuvenated with deeply tinted custom finishes, allowing formality and function to coexist. ChrDAUER: Kristin Mjolsnes, Christian Dauer General Contractor: Saturn Construction Photographer: Eric Rorer