A custom vertical grain feature wall creates a dynamic interplay of light and shadow as the sun moves through the sky. The carefully aligned vertical panels cast captivating shadows that shift and evolve throughout the day, enhancing the visual depth and dimension of the space. As sunlight filters through the grains of the wood, it creates a mesmerizing play of light inside the home. Complementing the wood siding, the smooth trowel earth-toned stucco creates a harmonious balance, enhancing the overall warmth and earthiness of the residence.

A previous client (Big Wood Lane) reached out to us to help design a remodel of a recently purchased on the south shore of Lake Minnetonka. The home had grown organically since its original construction in 1945. It had evolved over time to accommodate the needs of its numerous owners. Our client brought a new set of needs to the home that included a desire to make the lake home a comfortable destination for family and friends. The project consisted of reconfiguring an outdated, inefficient kitchen, expansion of the bedroom wing to include individual bathrooms for bedrooms and redesign of the central stair guard rail. The redesign of the kitchen included repositioning major appliances for greater efficiency, more seating at an enlarged island, a new pantry, and expanded views to the lake. The expansion of the bedroom wing included eliminating a three-season porch on top of the garage on the inland side of the home. The space above the garage roof was enclosed and turned into dedicated bathrooms for each bedroom. These bathrooms are accessible only from the bathrooms which provide privacy and convenience to visitors.

19th century Louis XV style French polychromed armoire of demi-cartouche section; the arched and molded pediment carved with curling acanthus and roses; the single door inset with a nicely shaped and fully bevelled mirror. Rounded sides inset with shaped panels, the tendril carved aprons centred by flowers and leaves evolving into acanthus carved cabriole legs. Overall coloring of the armoire is a deep rich blue with wonderful aged patina. There is some flecking of the polychrome, the silvering some-what degraded as to be expected of its age. The mirror shows great aged patina, with some age to the mirror with dark grey age spots at the top. See photos, or request additional photos. The inside shelves have a fabric wrap, can be taken off very easily. Measures: 96" H x 40" W (front) x 64"wide (back) x 21" D Armoire mirror 29" W x 72" H Shelf depth 15.5" Shelf width centre 48".

Example of a large trendy open concept marble floor and gray floor living room design in Orange County with white walls, a ribbon fireplace, a tile fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

The European homeowners wanted to create a space for a new sauna and hot tub, as well as a place to relax afterwards. It needed to be light and bright, and have a warm but modern feel. We built this addition under the existing deck, and spruced up the deck at the same time to enjoy the nice territorial views. The walls of the addition are cedar, with built-ins and deep cabinets for storage. There is a walk-in, tiled shower with built-in bench just off the sauna, and a seating area with tv for relaxing. The floor is stained concrete. The 14-foot wall of windows (including a door to the hot tub), and the secondary window wall that includes french doors allows the maximum amount of light into the space and really creates that spa feeling. The plans evolved during construction to include a larger sauna (thereby reducing the shower size somewhat) and a much larger hot tub than originally planned. The solution was to move the hot tub outside, which had the benefit of opening up more space inside for a yoga/ workout area. The hot tub is covered by a glass roof so it can be enjoyed year-round under the stars.

We wanted to create a natural outdoor living space with elevation change and an open feel. The first time we met they wanted to add a small kitchen and a 200 square foot pergola to the existing concrete. This beautifully evolved into what we eventually built. By adding an elevated deck to the left of the structure it created the perfect opportunity to elevate the sitting walls. Whether you’re sitting on the deck or over by the travertine the sitting wall is the exact same distance off of the floor. By creating a seamless transition from one space to the other no matter where you are, you're always a part of the party. A 650 square foot cedar pergola, 92 feet of stone sitting walls, travertine flooring, composite decking and summer kitchen. With plenty of accent lighting this space lights up and highlights all of the natural materials. Appliances: Fire Magic Diamond Echelon series 660 Pergola: Solid Cedar Flooring: Travertine Flooring/ Composite decking Stone: Rattle Snake with 2.25” Cream limestone capping Photo Credit: TK Images

Adjacent to the kitchen, the former pantry, laundry, and service corridor were reimagined as a hybrid scullery and utility suite, creating a highly functional support space that discreetly accommodates food preparation, storage, organization, and household operations without compromising the elegance of the primary living areas. The renovation extends beyond aesthetics to create a home tailored to the family's evolving needs. Consistent architectural detailing, layered textures, and thoughtful proportions establish continuity throughout the residence, allowing each room to feel connected to the larger design narrative. The result is a sophisticated yet approachable home that balances practical performance with timeless design, delivering a renewed living experience that is both highly functional and distinctly luxurious.

This mosaic of a mermaid is one of two separate installations in the clients beach house on the North Shore of Oahu. It is made entirely of hand cut stained glass in the artists studio in Orange County, shipped to the ste, installed in sections by the artist, grouted and hand colored grout. Mia Tavonatti

Michael Hunter
Mid-sized elegant enclosed living room library photo in Houston with beige walls, engineered wood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace and no tv

We wanted to create a natural outdoor living space with elevation change and an open feel. The first time we met they wanted to add a small kitchen and a 200 square foot pergola to the existing concrete. This beautifully evolved into what we eventually built. By adding an elevated deck to the left of the structure it created the perfect opportunity to elevate the sitting walls. Whether you’re sitting on the deck or over by the travertine the sitting wall is the exact same distance off of the floor. By creating a seamless transition from one space to the other no matter where you are, you're always a part of the party. A 650 square foot cedar pergola, 92 feet of stone sitting walls, travertine flooring, composite decking and summer kitchen. With plenty of accent lighting this space lights up and highlights all of the natural materials. Appliances: Fire Magic Diamond Echelon series 660 Pergola: Solid Cedar Flooring: Travertine Flooring/ Composite decking Stone: Rattle Snake with 2.25” Cream limestone capping Photo Credit: TK Images

This fall, Amethyst had the opportunity to partner with Freeman Custom Homes of Kansas City to furnish this 5000 sq ft European Modern designed home for the Artisan Home Tour 2020! Every square inch of this home was magical -- from the secret staircase in the master bath leading to a private shuttered plunge pool to the vaulted kitchen with sky high mushroom colored cabinetry and handmade zellige tile. We met the builders during the cabinetry phase and watching their final, thoughtful design details evolve was such full of over-the-top surprises like the unique valet-like storage in the entry and limestone fireplace! As soon as we saw their vision for the home, we knew our furnishings would be a great match as our design style celebrates handmade rugs, artisan handmade custom seating, old-meets-new art, and let's be honest -- we love to go big! They trusted us to do our thing on the entire main level and we enjoyed every minute. The load in took 3 full trucks and fortunately for us -- the homeowners fell in love with several pieces so our uninstall trip was significantly lighter. I think we were all a little emotional leaving this masterpiece but sooooo happy for the owners and just hoping we get invited to a Christmas party... Here are some of the highlights -- 90% of the furnishings and rugs were from our shop and we filled in the gaps with some extra special pieces!

The Petal & Poppy Home is a vibrant, collected family residence defined by bold color, layered pattern, and a confident sense of personality. Designed over several years as the young family grew, the home reflects an evolving story rooted in warmth, creativity, and a love of expressive interiors. Color guided the design from the outset. A blue grasscloth dining room and an existing pink Persian rug in the formal living room became the foundation for a palette that unfolded organically throughout the home. With clients eager to mix patterns and embrace saturated hues, the design process focused on contrast, cohesion, and joyful self-expression. The entry makes an immediate statement with a playful spotted stair runner, oversized artwork, and a high-gloss black handrail that introduces graphic contrast. The formal living room, designed for entertaining, is the moodiest space in the home. Dark garnet walls and a commissioned piece by local artist Carrie Gillen create a dramatic backdrop, while pink tweed swivel chairs and a tailored charcoal sofa complete a space designed for lingering. Beyond French doors, the home office is an immersive mix of pattern and color, with wallpaper wrapping both walls and ceiling. A leopard carpet and modern crystal chandelier add a touch of glamour, resulting in a space that feels energizing and personal. The dining room continues the confident use of blue, layering patterns around a custom round pedestal table designed for everyday meals and gatherings alike. At the heart of the home, the family room was designed for togetherness. A bright blue sectional anchors the space, complemented by custom ottomans on hidden casters and softened with tailored throw pillows. Existing bookshelves are refreshed with a Peter Fasano wallcovering, creating a collected, lived-in backdrop. Upstairs, the primary suite offers a softer expression of color, blending blues, oranges, and pinks, while built-in window benches add moments of comfort. The children’s bedrooms balance playfulness with longevity, layered with color and texture designed to grow alongside them. The Petal & Poppy Home is a celebration of color, creativity, and family life—an interior that feels intentionally layered, expressive, and deeply personal, designed to evolve over time.

Our client sought elevated visual appeal and functionality from this lakefront home. We created an open, full kitchen and convenient butler’s pantry within their design. Removing the walls, which separated the family room and kitchen opened up the space, introducing more natural light and gleaming lake views. Inspired by the scene, our design evolved to include a dry bar with a floating, back-lit glass countertop and custom storage. The unique, glowing bar further enhanced the entertainment aspect of the room, making it a functional and beautifully artistic addition. With modern lines and clean simplicity in mind throughout, custom floating cabinetry without hardware, waterfall-edged Peruvian walnut wood countertops, and LED-lit polished stainless steel toe kicks were added to the kitchen to make a striking impression. To complete the kitchen, high quality appliances and custom organization—like the Subzero wine fridge and specialty pull-out spice racks—were added to make this space both perfectly attuned to the needs of the homeowners and a visual masterpiece.

Wrapped in Sen veneer every box remained in place as the elements evolved into a newly imagined kitchen. Contrasting the organic nature of the wood gain is the dimensionally exciting glass tile backsplash. The black and silver glass bridge and blend the smooth steel items and stainless appliances with the adjacent natural materials. The dolomite countertops are unique and balance the weight of the floor and steel. Crystal pendants dance above the re-installed and beloved wood bar top. Custom upholstered A.Rudin swivel stools complete the room.

The genesis of this exterior remodeling project was to add a pool and outdoor bath/changing room, hot tub, and covered exterior seating to the backyard of their new home, overlooking the river. This would also involve an expanded horizontal ground plane to allow for a safe play area for children and outdoor family activities. The clients also wanted a design solution that would offer the opportunity for several additional months of outdoor living activities per year. Part of this desire included a need for functional and well-equipped outdoor grilling and kitchen area with easily accessible covered seating. Another project requirement that evolved was to allocate space for a secured dog run enclosure and easily serviceable restroom area for the pets.

The A7 Series aluminum windows with triple-pane glazing were paired with custom-designed Ultra Lift and Slide doors to provide comfort, efficiency, and seamless design integration of fenestration products. Triple pane glazing units with high-performance spacers, low iron glass, multiple air seals, and a continuous thermal break make these windows and doors incomparable to the traditional aluminum window and door products of the past. Not to mention – these large-scale sliding doors have been fitted with motors hidden in the ceiling, which allow the doors to open flush into wall pockets at the press of a button. This seamless aluminum door system is a true custom solution for a homeowner that wanted the largest expanses of glass possible to disappear from sight with minimal effort. The enormous doors slide completely out of view, allowing the interior and exterior to blur into a single living space. By integrating the ultra-modern desert home into the surrounding landscape, this residence is able to adapt and evolve as the seasons change – providing a comfortable, beautiful, and luxurious environment all year long.

Emil Kotto is a porcelain tile collection that creates extremely attractive contemporary interiors thanks to the timeless beauty of clay. Kotto highlights the variation that originates from the transformed clay to create a product that has its own personality, style, and warmth suitable for any interior space. Shown here in Calce Deco Art.

Part mirage, part miracle - this masterful modern evocation is in the best Louisiana vernacular tradition. It was conceived by architect Kevin Gossen (Gossen Architects Lafayette, Louisiana) for an unusual piece of property in Metairie whose cheated landscape gives the illusion of open country spaces. He has created a “cottage” that already looks as if it might be a survivor from a couple of centuries ago. Using reclaimed building materials, magnificent beams, beautiful old flooring with classically scaled rooms, it was a perfect project for Decorations Lucullus. Both architect and interior designers admit the real magic rested with the client whose highly developed aesthetic and extensive experience in design gave the process amazing vitality. Conceived as a “résidence secondaire” to be near grandchildren, she wanted something more snug than her large primary house out of town but without sacrificing the qualities of charm or elegance. While the project is still evolving, she can’t repress a smile when some passer-by stops to chat over the rose-heavy iron fence, perhaps peering into the gracious side hall, asking how this old house has managed to survive all the changes in the neighborhood. Photography by Sara Essex Bradly