Instead of purchasing a second home, the homeowners decided to create a vacation destination right in their own yard. When the project was finished, the family had a whole new world just outside their door. Three sitting areas, dining spaces, and lounging areas under the decks. An outdoor kitchen, hot tub, and fountain. There is no reason for this family to travel to relax and get away from it all. The outdoor “rooms” were created to provide intimate retreats for each of the family members, at every stage of their lives. The outdoor kitchen was designed for entertaining, as was the hot tub. The cozy sitting areas provide ideal spots for reading a book, or sharing a glass of wine. The fountain’s stuccoed brick veneer is graced with handmade brass flutes that fill the garden with the soothing sounds of water. No travel required.

Fully integrated Signature Estate featuring Creston controls and Crestron panelized lighting, and Crestron motorized shades and draperies, whole-house audio and video, HVAC, voice and video communication atboth both the front door and gate. Modern, warm, and clean-line design, with total custom details and finishes. The front includes a serene and impressive atrium foyer with two-story floor to ceiling glass walls and multi-level fire/water fountains on either side of the grand bronze aluminum pivot entry door. Elegant extra-large 47'' imported white porcelain tile runs seamlessly to the rear exterior pool deck, and a dark stained oak wood is found on the stairway treads and second floor. The great room has an incredible Neolith onyx wall and see-through linear gas fireplace and is appointed perfectly for views of the zero edge pool and waterway. The center spine stainless steel staircase has a smoked glass railing and wood handrail. Master bath features freestanding tub and double steam shower.

Select tiles were hand painted to add minimal color to an all-white shower and tub area. A heated floor keeps everyone warm on cold mornings. Photo credit: Fran Kuhn Photography

• American Olean “Color Appeal” 4” x 12” glass tile in “Fountain blue” • Robern M Series medicine cabinet • 2cm solid surface counter “blizzard” in Caeserstone by Alpha Granite • Grohe Concetto faucet • photography by Paul Finkel

A masterpiece of light and design, this gorgeous Beverly Hills contemporary is filled with incredible moments, offering the perfect balance of intimate corners and open spaces. A large driveway with space for ten cars is complete with a contemporary fountain wall that beckons guests inside. An amazing pivot door opens to an airy foyer and light-filled corridor with sliding walls of glass and high ceilings enhancing the space and scale of every room. An elegant study features a tranquil outdoor garden and faces an open living area with fireplace. A formal dining room spills into the incredible gourmet Italian kitchen with butler’s pantry—complete with Miele appliances, eat-in island and Carrara marble countertops—and an additional open living area is roomy and bright. Two well-appointed powder rooms on either end of the main floor offer luxury and convenience. Surrounded by large windows and skylights, the stairway to the second floor overlooks incredible views of the home and its natural surroundings. A gallery space awaits an owner’s art collection at the top of the landing and an elevator, accessible from every floor in the home, opens just outside the master suite. Three en-suite guest rooms are spacious and bright, all featuring walk-in closets, gorgeous bathrooms and balconies that open to exquisite canyon views. A striking master suite features a sitting area, fireplace, stunning walk-in closet with cedar wood shelving, and marble bathroom with stand-alone tub. A spacious balcony extends the entire length of the room and floor-to-ceiling windows create a feeling of openness and connection to nature. A large grassy area accessible from the second level is ideal for relaxing and entertaining with family and friends, and features a fire pit with ample lounge seating and tall hedges for privacy and seclusion. Downstairs, an infinity pool with deck and canyon views feels like a natural extension of the home, seamlessly integrated with the indoor living areas through sliding pocket doors. Amenities and features including a glassed-in wine room and tasting area, additional en-suite bedroom ideal for staff quarters, designer fixtures and appliances and ample parking complete this superb hillside retreat.

Tucker Design Awards celebrate the innovation and vision that designers bring to their projects through the specification and use of natural stone materials. For members of the Natural Stone Institute, acknowledgement as a contributor to a Tucker Design Awards winning project is a genuine tribute to their traditional values, physicality of work and dedication to precise specifications required in the realization of such accomplished architectural design. Landscape Architect Design Workshop, Aspen, CO Architect Poss Architecture, Aspen, CO Landscape Contractor Landscape Workshop, Carbondale, CO Stone Supplier/Installer Gallegos Corporation, Wolcott, CO Stone Quarry Arkins Park Stone, Loveland, CO Within walled boundaries, Woody Creek Garden embraces its high alpine environment through explorations of stone and water that serve as unifying elements of form in the design of the various outdoor spaces. Through striking and distinctively detailed stonework, water is portrayed in its various states and forms – atmospheric mist, single rivulets, cascades, and still pools. Two courtyards interlink the residence allowing each room to enjoy the visual landscape. In the entrance courtyard, the sound from a carved 24”x 24” cut-granite fountain reverberates throughout the walled space. Placed for gathering and quiet contemplation, a pin-wheel arrangement of sculptural, granite slabs provide a honed surface for sitting while providing year-round interest. Each stone was individually specified with intentionally spaced core fractures, utilizing the extraction method to serve as sculpted details. Large sandstone pavers, set in sand and cut in an irregular, but geometric fashion bring a sense of modernity to the space. Throughout the property, stone detailing seek to heighten one’s experience of the landscape and views. Upon the home’s entry, an 18” rectilinear cut in the freestanding stone wall frames a distant peak, creating a singular reference to the outside world in this encased space. Emerging from the center of an organically-shaped carved sandstone slab, water is carried along a narrow 2” runnel sandstone cap, disappearing into the framed horizon. This glimpse to the west is the only opening in the tightly enclosed courtyard. From its opposite aspect, the feature creates a welcoming gesture at the home’s front entrance. The slender rivulet of water trickles from the sandstone slab above onto a honed granite plane, set within a sandstone terrace In contrast, a second promontory courtyard commands a strong presence over its alpine setting, leaving the steeply sloping site undisturbed. A 12’x 40’ reflecting pool – a thin sheet of water over honed black granite – captures the form and silence of the everchanging natural environment on its taut surface. Along its edge, water flows over a ½” radius edge, disappearing into a recirculating slot. Commissioned by Italian artist Bruno Romeda, a bronze sculpture rests upon an elevated granite plinth. Along its western edge, designers crafted a two-tiered, infinity edge detail. In the first vertical drop, water flows between the pool and perimeter stone walls, landing onto an intermediate bench, while the second drop introduces a chamfered edge, allowing water to embrace the vertical relief without splashing. Sandstone terraces provide continuous access to the various landscape features of the garden. At the base of the battered perimeter walls, a sandstone path leads to a fire pit, encircled by lichen-covered boulders. Along the courtyard’s eastern perimeter, water appears to emerge from the hillside, fracturing and falling against the irregular vertical stone wall, melting in a curtain-like formation behind the spa. The colors, distinctive detailing and striking stonework were selected based on their appropriateness to the context. From above, a rectilinear pool lies behind the wall, silently mirroring the sky above and offering no ostensible connection to the structure or to its source.

Trendy l-shaped kitchen photo in Seattle with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, wood countertops, white backsplash and stainless steel appliances

Situated on one of the most prestigious streets in the distinguished neighborhood of Highland Park, 3517 Beverly is a transitional residence built by Robert Elliott Custom Homes. Designed by notable architect David Stocker of Stocker Hoesterey Montenegro, the 3-story, 5-bedroom and 6-bathroom residence is characterized by ample living space and signature high-end finishes. An expansive driveway on the oversized lot leads to an entrance with a courtyard fountain and glass pane front doors. The first floor features two living areas — each with its own fireplace and exposed wood beams — with one adjacent to a bar area. The kitchen is a convenient and elegant entertaining space with large marble countertops, a waterfall island and dual sinks. Beautifully tiled bathrooms are found throughout the home and have soaking tubs and walk-in showers. On the second floor, light filters through oversized windows into the bedrooms and bathrooms, and on the third floor, there is additional space for a sizable game room. There is an extensive outdoor living area, accessed via sliding glass doors from the living room, that opens to a patio with cedar ceilings and a fireplace.

Sacramento River waterfront property. Freestanding pool wall with stone veneer. Dedicated planting spaces and area lighting. LED lit bubbling water features at the "Sun shelf" area in the pool.

Sacramento River waterfront property. Freestanding pool wall with stone veneer. Dedicated planting spaces and area lighting. LED lit bubbling water features at the "Sun shelf" area in the pool.

Jeff Heatley
Example of a small trendy u-shaped kitchen design in New York with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, stainless steel cabinets, white backsplash and a peninsula

This oversized rain curtain reads like a freestanding architectural frame—then comes alive when running, adding motion, sound, and a cooling presence along the patio without competing with the home’s modern lines.

KuDa Photography
Example of a large minimalist master multicolored tile and porcelain tile porcelain tile and gray floor bathroom design in Other with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, a two-piece toilet, gray walls, an undermount sink, quartz countertops and a hinged shower door

Guest Bathroom with a stained furniture shaker flat panel style vanity welcomes any guest. A traditional 2" hex tile floor adds interest of a black/brown color to the room. Black & bronze mixed fixtures coordinate for a warm black look.

Southern Charm and Sophistication at it's best! Stunning Historic Magnolia River Front Estate. Known as The Governor's Club circa 1900 the property is situated on approx 2 acres of lush well maintained grounds featuring Fresh Water Springs, Aged Magnolias and Massive Live Oaks. Property includes Main House (2 bedrooms, 2.5 bath, Lvg Rm, Dining Rm, Kitchen, Library, Office, 3 car garage, large porches, garden with fountain), Magnolia House (2 Guest Apartments each consisting of 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, Kitchen, Dining Rm, Sitting Area), River House (3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, Lvg Rm, Dining Rm, Kitchen, river front porches), Pool House (Heated Gunite Pool and Spa, Entertainment Room/ Sitting Area, Kitchen, Bathroom), and Boat House (River Front Pier, 3 Covered Boat Slips, area for Outdoor Kitchen, Theater with Projection Screen, 3 children's play area, area ready for 2 built in bunk beds, sleeping 4). Full Home Generator System. Call or email Erin E. Kaiser with Kaiser Sotheby's International Realty at 251-752-1640 / erin@kaisersir.com for more info!

Located at the Toll Brothers Model Homes the Enclave at Yorba Linda. Toll Brothers envisioned a raised overflow pool with glass walls, allowing guests to see underwater from the outside. Extensive care was taken during the difficult design and build process to ensure that excellence was achieved and Toll Brothers was completely enamored with the results. This pool features a very modern look with straight, clean lines, square columns and LED lights accenting the acrylic pool walls. The bar area touts an acrylic wall and in-pool bar stools, while the tile inside the pool matches the house, bringing continuity to the entire space. An extreme amount of coordination was required for the 2.5 inch thick pieces of acrylic to fit perfectly within the slots on the columns while still maintaining the structural integrity of the pool. We were in continual communication with the structural engineer and acrylic manufacturer, ensuring that each piece fit perfectly. The completed acrylic walls were then craned over the house due to their weight. With a vanishing edge on the front three sections and a negative edge along the back, it was absolutely imperative that the pool was perfectly level and that the water filtration system operated perfectly so that the flow was even over each wall. The water cascading over the front walls collects in a trough that ties into to the rear negative edge basin, where it recirculates back into the pool. The rear negative edge was designed so as not to distract from the breathtaking view of the valley below, while the lounging deck overhangs the pool with a freestanding cover ensuring that the view is completely unobstructed. An elegant piece of artwork frames the back of the pool, completing the look for this intriguing swimming pool.

The pool bath features a tile inlaid floor that repeats the pattern found on the entry fountain. A stone vessel sink mounted atop a custom freestanding metal vanity with limestone countertop echoes the ancient villas of Andalusia.

Work with a view, from this home office featuring sliding pocket doors, that provide a seamless view of the surrounding golf course. An impressive fountain surrounds two sides of the home office, with sliding doors that open 90 degrees to bring the outdoors inside.

Stephen Himschoot
Example of a small mountain style backyard tile patio design in Denver with a fire pit