Design Consultant Jeff Doubét is the author of Creating Spanish Style Homes: Before & After – Techniques – Designs – Insights. The 240 page “Design Consultation in a Book” is now available. Please visit SantaBarbaraHomeDesigner.com for more info. Jeff Doubét specializes in Santa Barbara style home and landscape designs. To learn more info about the variety of custom design services I offer, please visit SantaBarbaraHomeDesigner.com Jeff Doubét is the Founder of Santa Barbara Home Design - a design studio based in Santa Barbara, California USA.

Design ideas for a large southwestern partial sun courtyard concrete paver water fountain landscape in Albuquerque for fall.

Christian Phillips Photography
This is an example of a contemporary landscaping in Boston.

Photo by Tina Witherspoon.
Inspiration for a mid-sized eclectic partial sun side yard stone walkway in Seattle.

This game room provides ample space to maneuver around the pool table, as well as two adjacent sitting areas and a game table. Oversized metal pendant lights provide middle ground attention and vintage sports images draw visitors to the corner of the room.

Cove House is a contemporary shoreline sanctuary in the lake region of New Hampshire. The wooded property, which includes several accessory outbuildings and an existing guest cottage, makes up a private micro-cove. The new modern house and existing traditional cottage turn both toward the lake and to each other. Thoughtful siting and landscape architecture establish a connective flow between the two residences, with a notched stone courtyard in the house inviting visitors to go back and forth. Inspired by the craftsmanship of an antique mahogany powerboat, Cove House pursues architectural quality and beauty at the highest level. The design uses materiality, texture, and daylight to balance livability and artistry. The main entrance leads through a slot-canyon-like hall where a sequence of monumental granite walls reveals a glorious, light-filled living room. A steel moment frame spanning two levels imparts unobstructed panoramic views of the lake. The magnetism of the New Hampshire waterfront is equalized by a coordinated series of openings, which attune daylight throughout the interior. Large sliding glass doors and windows draw light through the courtyard and into the home’s core – a bright and lofty kitchen. Below the kitchen, a walkout patio illuminates a refined wine-tasting room­­. Near the front entry, a gracious granite and steel stair delivers daylight to each level though open risers and glass balustrades. Skylights draw light from above and cast grazing shadows against the textured tile walls of the upper bathrooms. “We aimed to create a “beautiful reward” and an environment that our clients will enjoy for the rest of their lives.” – Marcus Gleysteen

Framed by mature trees and nestled within Sarasota’s historic McClellan Park, Sunset Place is a home shaped by a deep understanding of, and sensibility for, its setting—reflecting the charm of the neighborhood, the rhythm of downtown living, and the client’s vision of entertaining, connection, and family life. Every decision—from site strategy to spatial flow—was made with intention: to support a lifestyle centered on warmth, community, and a strong sense of place. At its core, the project is a masterclass in leveraging zoning and code to unlock the full potential of a complex site. Though landlocked, the home lives like waterfront—offering openness, privacy, and expansive sunset views. Placing the pool in the front yard, within the 25-foot setback, redefines the entry experience. It captures the western light and sets a relaxed, resort-like tone from the very first step inside the gate. Paired with a rear-loaded garage, accessed discreetly via the side setback, the layout transforms the site’s limitations into its greatest assets. Architecture and landscape take center stage, while the full buildable envelope is maximized without compromise. A natural rise of eight feet from front to back—rare in Sarasota—was embraced as an opportunity. Site walls function as both retaining structures and architectural elements, elevating the pool terrace and entry by over four feet to align with the main interior floor level. The result is a fluid connection between indoors and out: kitchen, dining, and living spaces unfold onto the terrace, blurring boundaries and enhancing everyday rituals as well as social gatherings. Architecturally, the home is coastal contemporary: open yet composed, airy yet grounded. Clarity in the massing tells a story of the inhabitants from the first glance, while the interior planning offers spatial generosity and ease. The interiors echo this sensibility with a palette that is soft, natural, and tactile—serene without being neutral. The landscape design provides a lush tropical frame, softening edges and reinforcing privacy through layered plantings rather than enclosure. Ultimately, Sunset Place is not defined by any single gesture, but by the way the home reflects its owners. Their gracious, family-centered nature informed every layer of design—resulting in a space that feels deeply personal, tailored for connection and ease, and perfectly suited for gathering, unwinding, and watching the sun slip behind the trees from the comfort of home.

Repurposed beams, matching the home's original timber frame, and a tongue and groove ceiling add texture and a rustic aesthetic to the remodeled greeting room. These details draw visitors' attention upward, and the vaulted ceiling makes the room feel spacious. It also has a rebuilt gas fireplace and existing slate floor. The greeting room is a balanced mix of rustic and refined details, complementing the home's character. Photo Credit: David Bader Interior Design Partner: Becky Howley

Hideaway, Le Marche - San Marino, Italy A historical Hideaway. Image courtesy on the realtor, Leo Trippi. A well-hidden place where the spirit finds its peace, nested between the Romagna, the Marches and Tuscany. Entering the gate, one leaves behind the pace of chaotic lives, and abandons itself to the joy of living of this ancient land. It is meant to be understood as a site of experience, where nature, culture, history and pleasure are elevated to the centre of things in order to finally rediscover it in oneself. A sort of “back to the simplicity”, aiming to dedicate oneself to observation and drawing from it valuable experiences for one’s life. Each of the three houses presents itself as an unexpected world in its own right, closed in on itself and yet a harmonious part of the whole, waiting to be enlivened by lively laughter, animated conversation and playfulness. This territory is a paradise for lovers of nature and the great outdoors. The sheer variety of places and landscapes enables visitors to take excursions on foot, on horseback or by mountain bike. History and architecture enthusiasts can follow an itinerary of strongholds and castles dotted around the area. Lovers of gourmet food will discover a full range of traditional dishes and quality local produce all year round. The rich variety of regional museums enables exploration into the rural arts, medieval architecture, archaeological finds and contemporary art.

The new family room has a vaulted ceiling, drawing visitors' attention up and giving the illusion of more space. Large windows show off the home's backdrop, and another reclaimed window serves as a focal point. Photo Credit - David Bader

Inspiration for a large transitional backyard concrete patio remodel in Seattle with a fire pit and no cover

Inspiration for a contemporary garden path in Las Vegas.

Cove House is a contemporary shoreline sanctuary in the lake region of New Hampshire. The wooded property, which includes several accessory outbuildings and an existing guest cottage, makes up a private micro-cove. The new modern house and existing traditional cottage turn both toward the lake and to each other. Thoughtful siting and landscape architecture establish a connective flow between the two residences, with a notched stone courtyard in the house inviting visitors to go back and forth. Inspired by the craftsmanship of an antique mahogany powerboat, Cove House pursues architectural quality and beauty at the highest level. The design uses materiality, texture, and daylight to balance livability and artistry. The main entrance leads through a slot-canyon-like hall where a sequence of monumental granite walls reveals a glorious, light-filled living room. A steel moment frame spanning two levels imparts unobstructed panoramic views of the lake. The magnetism of the New Hampshire waterfront is equalized by a coordinated series of openings, which attune daylight throughout the interior. Large sliding glass doors and windows draw light through the courtyard and into the home’s core – a bright and lofty kitchen. Below the kitchen, a walkout patio illuminates a refined wine-tasting room­­. Near the front entry, a gracious granite and steel stair delivers daylight to each level though open risers and glass balustrades. Skylights draw light from above and cast grazing shadows against the textured tile walls of the upper bathrooms. “We aimed to create a “beautiful reward” and an environment that our clients will enjoy for the rest of their lives.” – Marcus Gleysteen

House parties are a regular event here and inspired many of our design decisions. The front door opens directly into the kitchen - the center of party action. I designed the cabinetry as a geometric composition that plays off the art and the feel of a gallery home. Photos by Brad Dickson

From our first meeting with the client, the process focused on a design that was inspired by the Asian Garden Theory. The home is sited to overlook a tranquil saltwater lagoon to the south, which uses barrowed landscaping as a powerful element of design to draw you through the house. Visitors enter through a path of stones floating upon a reflecting pool that extends to the home’s foundations. The centralized entertaining area is flanked by family spaces to the east and private spaces to the west. Large spaces for social gathering are linked with intimate niches of reflection and retreat to create a home that is both spacious yet intimate. Transparent window walls provide expansive views of the garden spaces to create a sense of connectivity between the home and nature. This Asian contemporary home also contains the latest in green technology and design. Photovoltaic panels, LED lighting, VRF Air Conditioning, and a high-performance building envelope reduce the energy consumption. Strategically located loggias and garden elements provide additional protection from the direct heat of the South Florida sun, bringing natural diffused light to the interior and helping to reduce reliance on electric lighting and air conditioning. Low VOC substances and responsibly, locally, and sustainably sourced materials were also selected for both interior and exterior finishes. One of the challenging aspects of this home’s design was to make it appear as if it were floating on one continuous body of water. The reflecting pools and ponds located at the perimeter of the house were designed to be integrated into the foundation of the house. The result is a sanctuary from the hectic lifestyle of South Florida into a reflective and tranquil retreat within. Photography by Sargent Architectual Photography

Inspiration for a transitional bathroom remodel in Dallas

Inspiration for a contemporary entryway remodel in Charlotte

WA designer Tina Dixon created this faux-adobe facade to disguise a tool shed and in doing so created a fun and colorful focal point Le jardinet
Inspiration for a landscaping in Seattle.

Situated within a one-acre lot in Austin’s Tarry Trail neighborhood, the backyard of this existing 1933- vintage historical house was underutilized. The owners felt that the main drawbacks of the existing backyard were a general disconnection between each outdoor area and a general lack of relationship to the house proper. Therefore, the primary goal of the redesign was a scheme that would promote the use of the outdoor zones, with the pool as a centerpiece. The first major design move was to frame the pool with a new structure as a backdrop. This cabana is perpendicular to the main house and creates a clear “bookend” to the upper level deck while housing indoor and outdoor activities. Under the cabana’s overhang, an integrated seating space offers a balance of sunlight and shade while an outdoor grill and bar area facilitate the family’s outdoor lifestyle. The only enclosed program exists as a naturally lit perch within the canopy of the trees, providing a serene environment to exercise within the comfort of a climate-controlled space. A corollary focus was to create sectional variation within the volume of the pool to encourage dynamic use at both ends while relating to the interior program of the home. A shallow beach zone for children to play is located near the family room and the access to the play space in the yard below. At the opposite end of the pool, outside the formal living room, another shallow space is made to be a splash-free sunbathing area perfect for enjoying an adult beverage. The functional separation set up by the pool creates a subtle and natural division between the energetic family spaces for playing, lounging, and grilling, and the composed, entertaining and dining spaces. The pool also enhances the formal program of the house by acting as a reflecting pool within a composed view from the front entry that draws visitors to an outdoor dining area under a majestic oak tree. By acting as a connector between the house and the yard, the elongated pool bridges the day-to-day activities within the house and the lush, sprawling backyard. Planter beds and low walls provide loose constraints to organize the overall outdoor living area, while allowing the space to spill out into the yard. Terraces navigate the sectional change in the landscape, offering a passage to the lower yard where children can play on the grass as the parents lounge by the outdoor fireplace.