Exterior Design by Cheryl Holben Design at cholben@att.net 916-761-7370. David Gibson, landscape architect, and Cheryl Holben Design designed the iron work and it was crafted by McLellan Blacksmithing. The design was inspired by the original 1930s exterior lantern that hangs over the front door.

The client wanted to use this terrace for entertainment. All we needed was a proper layout, lighting, make it fun and functional. Budget was a question so we avoided any contracting work, mixed affordable and expensive items. The outdoor barbecue existed, so I added in a firepit table, RGB led lighted planters and cube stools, purchased aluminum planters from CB2 and had it painted in red (the client likes warm colors), outdoor furnitures from CB2 and voila !! Oh of course let's not forget the pillows and throw. Photo Credit: Coy Gutierrez

• Bed – Kline Letto • Duvet and Shams – Custom • Fabric: Donghia ‘ Ascot’, to the trade • Reading Lamps – Policelli Italian Lighting • Dresser – House of European Design, Metrix Modo • Ceiling Light Fixture – custom design, Vernon Applegate • Display Stand, - white acrylic, Tap Plastics • Walls and Doors – Benjamin Moore, ‘Pale Oak, OC-20’ flat finish • Ceiling and Columns – Pratt and Lambert, ‘Garnet’, flat finish • Window Trim – Pratt and Lambert, ‘Field Gray’, flat finish Photo-David Livingston

Photography By: Colleen Duffley

This three-story, 11,000-square-foot home showcases the highest levels of craftsmanship and design. With shades of soft greys and linens, the interior of this home exemplifies sophistication and refinement. Dark ebony hardwood floors contrast with shades of white and walls of pale gray to create a striking aesthetic. The significant level of contrast between these ebony finishes and accents and the lighter fabrics and wall colors throughout contribute to the substantive character of the home. An eclectic mix of lighting with transitional to modern lines are found throughout the home. The kitchen features a custom-designed range hood and stainless Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances. Rachel Boling Photography

Linda McDougald, principal and lead designer of Linda McDougald Design l Postcard from Paris Home, re-designed and renovated her home, which now showcases an innovative mix of contemporary and antique furnishings set against a dramatic linen, white, and gray palette. The English country home features floors of dark-stained oak, white painted hardwood, and Lagos Azul limestone. Antique lighting marks most every room, each of which is filled with exquisite antiques from France. At the heart of the re-design was an extensive kitchen renovation, now featuring a La Cornue Chateau range, Sub-Zero and Miele appliances, custom cabinetry, and Waterworks tile.

The living room at the house in Chelsea with a bespoke fireplace surround designed by us and supplied and installed by Marble Hill Fireplaces with a gas stove from interfocos. George Sharman Photography

Ulrich designer: Julia Kleyman Photography by Peter Rymwid This grand Saddle River kitchen was created in support of the Hackensack University Medical Center Designer Showhouse of New Jersey in 2012. The new design transformed a dreary and dated 80's kitchen into a functional, comfortable and eye-pleasing space with clean transitional lines and touches of traditional charm in its detail. The rich brown finish of the island cabinetry gives the room warmth, and juxtaposes in lovely contrast the white cabinetry of the perimeter. Large pendant lights add modern "bling" and balance the large room.

The casual dining area in the kitchen, with tongue and groove panelled wall and a ceiling painted in gloss to bounce the light around in this lower ground floor space.

Photography by Derek Robinson

The Mazama house is located in the Methow Valley of Washington State, a secluded mountain valley on the eastern edge of the North Cascades, about 200 miles northeast of Seattle. The house has been carefully placed in a copse of trees at the easterly end of a large meadow. Two major building volumes indicate the house organization. A grounded 2-story bedroom wing anchors a raised living pavilion that is lifted off the ground by a series of exposed steel columns. Seen from the access road, the large meadow in front of the house continues right under the main living space, making the living pavilion into a kind of bridge structure spanning over the meadow grass, with the house touching the ground lightly on six steel columns. The raised floor level provides enhanced views as well as keeping the main living level well above the 3-4 feet of winter snow accumulation that is typical for the upper Methow Valley. To further emphasize the idea of lightness, the exposed wood structure of the living pavilion roof changes pitch along its length, so the roof warps upward at each end. The interior exposed wood beams appear like an unfolding fan as the roof pitch changes. The main interior bearing columns are steel with a tapered “V”-shape, recalling the lightness of a dancer. The house reflects the continuing FINNE investigation into the idea of crafted modernism, with cast bronze inserts at the front door, variegated laser-cut steel railing panels, a curvilinear cast-glass kitchen counter, waterjet-cut aluminum light fixtures, and many custom furniture pieces. The house interior has been designed to be completely integral with the exterior. The living pavilion contains more than twelve pieces of custom furniture and lighting, creating a totality of the designed environment that recalls the idea of Gesamtkunstverk, as seen in the work of Josef Hoffman and the Viennese Secessionist movement in the early 20th century. The house has been designed from the start as a sustainable structure, with 40% higher insulation values than required by code, radiant concrete slab heating, efficient natural ventilation, large amounts of natural lighting, water-conserving plumbing fixtures, and locally sourced materials. Windows have high-performance LowE insulated glazing and are equipped with concealed shades. A radiant hydronic heat system with exposed concrete floors allows lower operating temperatures and higher occupant comfort levels. The concrete slabs conserve heat and provide great warmth and comfort for the feet. Deep roof overhangs, built-in shades and high operating clerestory windows are used to reduce heat gain in summer months. During the winter, the lower sun angle is able to penetrate into living spaces and passively warm the exposed concrete floor. Low VOC paints and stains have been used throughout the house. The high level of craft evident in the house reflects another key principle of sustainable design: build it well and make it last for many years! Photo by Benjamin Benschneider

Mid Century Modern Contemporary design. White quartersawn veneer oak cabinets and white paint Crystal Cabinets

Linda McDougald, principal and lead designer of Linda McDougald Design l Postcard from Paris Home, re-designed and renovated her home, which now showcases an innovative mix of contemporary and antique furnishings set against a dramatic linen, white, and gray palette. The English country home features floors of dark-stained oak, white painted hardwood, and Lagos Azul limestone. Antique lighting marks most every room, each of which is filled with exquisite antiques from France. At the heart of the re-design was an extensive kitchen renovation, now featuring a La Cornue Chateau range, Sub-Zero and Miele appliances, custom cabinetry, and Waterworks tile.

A Hotel Luxe Modern Transitional Home by Natalie Fuglestveit Interior Design, Calgary Interior Design Firm. Photos by Lindsay Nichols Photography. Interior design includes modern fireplace with 24"x24" calacutta marble tile face, 18 karat vase with tree, black and white geometric prints, modern Gus white Delano armchairs, natural walnut hardwood floors, medium brown wall color, ET2 Lighting linear pendant fixture over dining table with tear drop glass, acrylic coffee table, carmel shag wool area rug, champagne gold Delta Trinsic faucet, charcoal flat panel cabinets, tray ceiling with chandelier in master bedroom, pink floral drapery in girls room with teal linear border.

Photographer: David Whittaker

A Dillard-Jones Builders design – this custom mountain home was inspired by Southern Living Magazine and the North Georgia Mountains. Its elegant-rustic design flows throughout the entire home. Photographer: Fred Rollison Photography

Christopher Cornwell Photography

David Patterson for Gerber Berend Design Build, Steamboat Springs, Colorado