Lake Front Country Estate Living Room, designed by Tom Markalunas, built by Resort Custom Homes. Photography by Rachael Boling.

Architect: Bob Pester, Burnell, Branch & Pester Architecture Photography: Jim Bartsch Photography The original A-frame home on this hillside lot was destroyed by wildfire. Not surprisingly, the clients wanted to rebuild a fire resistant home. Working together with their architect and builder, they chose a contemporary design with few, if any, fire susceptible, “weak links.” When design was first discussed, the owners expressed a desire to have the house not be as exposed to the street as their previous. Primary motivation was privacy, but an added advantage was reducing solar heat gain on the southern exposure. The original concept was to bring some light in from the south, with the majority coming from the north along with fabulous views of the canyon and mountains nearby. As the conceptual building masses took shape, the architect was inspired to punch small openings into the south elevation, positioning them primarily for light infiltration, not to see out of. The goal was to compose a seemingly random-looking arrangement of the window fenestrations, even though their placement had a specific purpose in relation to each respective interior space.

Crystal White Voile Roman blinds. Find out more here https://www.hillarys.co.uk/blinds-range/roman-blinds/voile-roman-blinds/

Donovan Roberts Witmer

David Kingsbury, www.davidkingsburyphoto.com

Design by Carol Luke. Breakdown of the room: Benjamin Moore HC 105 is on both the ceiling & walls. The darker color on the ceiling works b/c of the 10 ft height coupled w/the west facing window, lighting & white trim. Trim Color: Benj Moore Decorator White. Vanity is Wood-Mode Fine Custom Cabinetry: Wood-Mode Essex Recessed Door Style, Black Forest finish on cherry Countertop/Backsplash - Franco’s Marble Shop: Calacutta Gold marble Undermount Sink - Kohler “Devonshire” Tile- Mosaic Tile: baseboards - polished Arabescato base moulding, Arabescato Black Dot basketweave Crystal Ceiling light- Elk Lighting “Renaissance’ Sconces - Bellacor: “Normandie”, polished Nickel Faucet - Kallista: “Tuxedo”, polished nickel Mirror - Afina: “Radiance Venetian” Toilet - Barclay: “Victoria High Tank”, white w/satin nickel trim & pull chain Photo by Morgan Howarth.

House of Ruby Interior Design’s philosophy is one of relaxed sophistication. With an extensive knowledge of materials, craftsmanship and color, we create warm, layered interiors which have become the hallmark of our firm. With each project, House of Ruby Interior Design develops a close relationship with the client and strives to celebrate their individuality, interests, and daily essentials for living and entertaining. We are dedicated to creating environments that are distinctive and highly livable. Photo Credit: Kira Shemano Photography

This is the project we show clients when we suggest they paint their doors black, though they usually look at us like we are crazy. Then they see the result of this wonderful front foyer, and grab the paintbrush!

A combination of gray and beige, the master bedrooms features a textured silver leaf wallpaper, striped end-bench and chaise lounge, and subtle floral printed bedding. The bedroom is light and refreshing yet sophisticated and timeless. The small touches of gold (through the chandelier lighting) add an extra ounce of intrigue and color. Project by Richmond Hill interior design firm Lumar Interiors. Also serving Aurora, Newmarket, King City, Markham, Thornhill, Vaughan, York Region, and the Greater Toronto Area. For more about Lumar Interiors, click here: https://www.lumarinteriors.com/ To learn more about this project, click here: https://www.lumarinteriors.com/portfolio/stouffville-project/

Originally designed by J. Merrill Brown in 1887, this Queen Anne style home sits proudly in Cambridge's Avon Hill Historic District. Past was blended with present in the restoration of this property to its original 19th century elegance. The design satisfied historical requirements with its attention to authentic detailsand materials; it also satisfied the wishes of the family who has been connected to the house through several generations. Photo Credit: Peter Vanderwarker

Small Bath

For this house overlooking a salt water pond, my clients wanted a cozy little cottage, but one with an open floor plan, large public rooms, a sizable eat-in kitchen, four bedrooms, three and a half baths, and a den. To create this big house in a small package, we drew upon the Cape Cod tradition with a series of volumes stepping back along the edge of the coastal bank. From the street the house appears as a classic half Cape, but what looks like the main house is only the master suite. The two “additions” that appear behind it contain most of the house. The main entry is from the small farmer’s porch into a surprisingly spacious vaulted stair hall lit by a doghouse dormer and three small windows running up along the stair. The living room, dining room and kitchen are all open to each other, but defined by columns, ceiling beams and the substantial kitchen island. Large windows and glass doors at the back of the house provide views of the water. Upstairs are three more bedrooms including a second master suite with its own fireplace. The extensive millwork, trim, interior doors, paneling, ceiling treatments, stairs, railings and cabinets were all built on site. The construction of the kitchen was the subject of an article in Fine Homebuilding magazine.

Double Glazed - Sliding Window, Bifold Door & Specialist Windows with ColorBond™ Monument Frame and Black Hardware

For this house overlooking a salt water pond, my clients wanted a cozy little cottage, but one with an open floor plan, large public rooms, a sizable eat-in kitchen, four bedrooms, three and a half baths, and a den. To create this big house in a small package, we drew upon the Cape Cod tradition with a series of volumes stepping back along the edge of the coastal bank. From the street the house appears as a classic half Cape, but what looks like the main house is only the master suite. The two “additions” that appear behind it contain most of the house. The main entry is from the small farmer’s porch into a surprisingly spacious vaulted stair hall lit by a doghouse dormer and three small windows running up along the stair. The living room, dining room and kitchen are all open to each other, but defined by columns, ceiling beams and the substantial kitchen island. Large windows and glass doors at the back of the house provide views of the water. Upstairs are three more bedrooms including a second master suite with its own fireplace. The extensive millwork, trim, interior doors, paneling, ceiling treatments, stairs, railings and cabinets were all built on site. The construction of the kitchen was the subject of an article in Fine Homebuilding magazine.

A small pied-e-terre received an out-sized makeover. We opened the tiny kitchen to give it the feel and workability of a much larger space. Both the bath and the kitchen are true to the very traditional and charming Beacon Hill aesthetic. Eric Roth Photography

Tessa Neustadt