The Talya Collection designed by Sara Baldwin, is a beautiful, lyrical mix of water jet designs that are at home in the bath, kitchen or grand entry. The Talya Collection is a refined study of designs using marble and stone, intertwining into lacework and modern geometries. Featured picture: Talya Collection, Diana Royal Finish, Rumi

This functional, light-filled home takes full advantage of its bucolic site. With the introduction of the butterfly roof, natural light, ventilation and views are brought into the main gathering spaces. Distance between the private and public zones is created by a shift in geometry where those two meet in plan, to provide a calming and rejuvenating private retreat for the occupants. The structured juxtaposition of materials brings order and warmth to the home’s overall experience, complementing the textures and beauty of the site. Photo: ©Cesar Rubio

This classic post-and-beam house sits on a ridge in the Riviera neighborhood of Santa Barbara, CA. With stunning views of Gibraltar Rock, Mission Canyon, and Cielito Overlook, the house’s original designers sited it perfectly and implemented an elegantly simple structural system based on a clear design vision. Unfortunately, several subsequent owners lacked that same clarity and made questionable remodeling choices based on passing style fads, effectively turning the house into something it was not and – most perplexing of all – turning their backs to the majesty of the surrounding mountains and valley. Working with the new owner, who saw through the noise of these misguided remodels, we set out to return the house to its roots and recreate its rhythmic geometry and interior flow. We added new wall-to-wall double sliding doors that open to the expansive northern views, bringing space and light to the living, dining, and kitchen areas and providing easy access to the surrounding natural environment. We also reconsidered the color palette and materials, simplified detailing and trim, and highlighted interior focal points such as the original slump block fireplace and newly remodeled kitchen. The house now entertains easily and provides a comfortable and gracious living space for its owner and guests.

This remarkable freestanding elliptical staircase creates a spectacular architectural moment. Three flights rise gracefully through the house, featuring soft light-stained oak treads and handrail that blend seamlessly with the home's hardwood flooring. Crisp white stringers and risers provide a clean foundation, allowing the natural wood warmth to shine. The defining feature is the geometric black wrought-iron balusters. It is the contrast between organic curves and precise geometry, natural wood and forged metal, that creates a staircase that's both elegant and dramatic. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

A sleek, contemporary exterior that blends modern geometry with industrial accents. The asymmetrical roofline creates a striking architectural silhouette, while the large picture window framed in corrugated metal adds both texture and character. Smooth, minimalist siding keeps the design fresh and refined, and the metal railing and wood fencing balance the look with warmth and structure. A truly unique remodel with a crisp, urban edge.

Ariel Broitman
Example of a trendy bathroom design in Tel Aviv

Eichler X-100 Rear Exterior & Pool: Where Architecture Meets Landscape The rear exterior of the Eichler X-100 is where the home fully expresses its vision of indoor-outdoor living—a seamless composition of architecture, landscape, and water that feels both sculptural and deeply livable. Designed by A. Quincy Jones and Frederick Emmons for Joseph Eichler, this side of the home transforms the backyard into an extension of the interior experience. A Wall of Glass to the Landscape The rear façade is defined by expansive floor-to-ceiling glass walls, dissolving the boundary between inside and out. Living spaces open directly to the backyard, allowing light, air, and views to flow freely through the home. From nearly every angle, the outdoors becomes part of the architecture. The Pool as a Design Element At the center of the backyard is a striking geometric pool, often described as being formed through intersecting circular forms. This is not just a recreational feature—it is a deliberate extension of the home’s architectural language. The curves of the pool contrast with the linear steel structure, creating a balanced interplay between softness and precision. Outdoor Living, Elevated The rear grounds are carefully composed to support both relaxation and entertaining: Integrated patio and seating areas Clean hardscape that echoes the home’s geometry Landscaping that enhances privacy while maintaining openness Every element is intentional, reinforcing a sense of calm and cohesion. A Continuous Flow of Space Large sliding glass panels allow the interior to open fully to the backyard, turning the living areas into an open-air pavilion. Whether hosting guests or enjoying a quiet moment, the transition between interior and exterior is effortless. This is California Modernism in its purest form. Framed Views and Privacy Despite the openness, the design maintains a strong sense of privacy and enclosure. The positioning of the home, landscaping, and surrounding elements creates a protected environment—one that feels expansive without being exposed. A Lifestyle, Not Just a Backyard The rear exterior of the Eichler X-100 is more than a setting—it is a lifestyle environment, where architecture and nature work together to shape daily life. It’s where morning light reflects off the water, where evenings unfold under open skies, and where the home’s original vision—of living seamlessly between indoors and out—comes fully to life. In the X-100, the backyard isn’t separate from the home. It is the home—just without walls.

Designed by the homeowners themselves, this striking staircase rises through multiple levels with architectural precision. Dark-toned square balusters and newels create bold contrast against crisp white risers, while horizontal stainless steel rods maintain visual lightness. The brilliance lies in the interplay of angles, levels, textures, and natural light. Strategic design choices transform the staircase into more than a connector. It carves out cozy sunny nooks and creates focal points throughout the open floor plan, proving that thoughtful geometry can shape how a home feels and functions. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

The silhouette of an Atlantic striped bass is carved into a single gable decoration featured among the complicated cedar-wrapped geometries signature to the shingle style. James Merrell Photography

Nestled along South Boulder Creek with sweeping Flatirons views, Creekside is a custom modern mountain home shaped by one guiding principle: dissolve the boundary between light, landscape, and daily living. From the first conversations, the project began not with a floor plan, but with the land itself—carefully evaluating a rare, delicate site and letting its rhythms, constraints, and beauty set the tone for every decision. Designed for a couple building their forever home in the Boulder foothills, the residence balances crisp modernity with the warmth and honesty of natural materials. Expansive glazing and clean lines are grounded by timber, stone, and tactile finishes—quietly luxurious rather than showy. The clients had spent years “chasing the light” from home to home; here, that pursuit became something more intentional. Instead of chasing the sun, the architecture invites sunlight to travel through the house across the day and seasons. Light is treated as a living element, orchestrated to create moments of surprise and calm. An interior window captures southern exposure at the upper level, guiding it through the loft and filtering it into the northern living room below—an atmospheric shift that changes hour by hour. A glass stair bridge adds levitation and clarity, linking front and back, public and private. Beneath it, a serene Zen garden winds under floating stairs, creating a quiet pause in the home’s circulation. Facing the creek, the home opens into a composition of glass and crisp geometry, framing moving water and long bands of daylight. Peaked roofs, timber beams, and stone cladding nod to regional vernacular, rooting the modern form in its mountain context. Set beside a sensitive riparian corridor, Creekside demanded exceptional care, including meticulous deconstruction of an existing structure with 94% landfill diversion. Performance was treated as a design feature: HERS 4, ENERGY STAR certification, a 15.8 kWh solar array, 30 kW battery backup, 1 ACH air-sealed construction, and air-source heat pumps—proof that stewardship and comfort can coexist beautifully.

Modern two-story glass house exterior idea in New York

Ariel Broitman
Example of a trendy family room design in Tel Aviv

Originally designed by architect Irwin Stein in 1976, this 7,000 sf home on a wooded site in Abington Pennsylvania has been lovingly restored under the care of its second owner. Moto DesignShop worked carefully with the owner and their team of builders, designers, and landscape architects to maintain the original motif and style of the home as closely as possible. The minimal material and color palate restored a subdued presence, allowing the home’s purest circular geometries to be bathed in light and contrast the organic woodland beyond.

This waterfront pool project in Beaconsfield reimagines a transitional backyard by fusing timeless warmth with crisp modern geometry. At its heart lies a custom concrete pool whose expansive beach entry pool—also known as a generous tanning ledge—slopes gently into the water, delivering the relaxed feel of a private resort. A frameless glass pool fence with low-iron panels preserves unobstructed lake vistas while ensuring safety, allowing the pool’s shimmering surface to merge visually with the open water beyond. Anchoring the far end of the basin is a dramatic outdoor fire feature that rises directly from the waterline. By day it acts as a sculptural focal point; by night the flames ripple across the water, transforming the space into a show-stopping luxury swimming pool experience. Every contour, drainage line, and equipment specification was shaped by Northstone’s in-house landscape architect design team and executed by our 180-strong crew of specialists, reinforcing our reputation as the go-to Beaconsfield pool builder for bespoke, high-end projects. Because Northstone is an entirely in-house design build firm, we streamline all stages—city permits, excavation, steel placement, shotcrete, and finishing—under a single roof. This turnkey approach distinguishes us among Montreal pool construction companies and ensures flawless craftsmanship in every pour. It is also why clients seeking a custom pool contractor to create a resort-style backyard consistently choose Northstone. That commitment to quality has earned us the #1 ranking for landscaping on bestinMTL.com and the top spot for pool design-build on bestmontrealservices.com. Our work has been showcased in Dwell, House & Home, the Montreal Gazette, and Living Luxe Magazine, underscoring our status as Montreal’s premier high-end pool company for luxury outdoor living on lakefront properties.

Nestled in the serene hills of Beverly Hills, this 5,900 sqft private residence designed by HENNE CREATIVE is a masterclass in minimal luxury. The architectural language merges sharp lines with warm materiality, creating an atmosphere of effortless sophistication and calm. The double height living room anchors the heart of the home, with expansive glazing that draws the surrounding landscape inward. A sculptural floating staircase connects both levels while embracing natural light, emphasizing verticality without overwhelming the space. The palette is defined by warm walnut ceilings, crisp white walls, large format porcelain surfaces, and soft natural micro cement floors balancing visual warmth with a serene, almost gallery-like restraint. The bespoke modular sofa and low slung furniture pieces reinforce a grounded, architectural approach to interior design. Soft curves in the lighting installation contrast the otherwise linear geometry, injecting fluidity and movement into the space. The fireplace wall, concealed storage solutions, and integrated lighting showcase HENNE CREATIVE's signature: form following function with quiet precision. Throughout the home, circulation is framed by uninterrupted sightlines and natural transitions between public and private zones. Hidden gardens, clean detailing, and material honesty all combine to offer a deeply meditative living experience where every element has been considered for both aesthetic impact and spatial clarity. This project reflects our studio’s belief that true luxury lies in restraint, clarity, and intentional living.

We love the challenge of working with modest sized spaces to fulfil our clients’ dreams. Whether you have a rooftop, balcony, patio or a small garden we combine our knowledge of geometry and architecture with good old fashioned hard work to create your custom small garden designs.

Example of a minimalist hallway design in Other with white walls

This waterfront pool project in Beaconsfield reimagines a transitional backyard by fusing timeless warmth with crisp modern geometry. At its heart lies a custom concrete pool whose expansive beach entry pool—also known as a generous tanning ledge—slopes gently into the water, delivering the relaxed feel of a private resort. A frameless glass pool fence with low-iron panels preserves unobstructed lake vistas while ensuring safety, allowing the pool’s shimmering surface to merge visually with the open water beyond. Anchoring the far end of the basin is a dramatic outdoor fire feature that rises directly from the waterline. By day it acts as a sculptural focal point; by night the flames ripple across the water, transforming the space into a show-stopping luxury swimming pool experience. Every contour, drainage line, and equipment specification was shaped by Northstone’s in-house landscape architect design team and executed by our 180-strong crew of specialists, reinforcing our reputation as the go-to Beaconsfield pool builder for bespoke, high-end projects. Because Northstone is an entirely in-house design build firm, we streamline all stages—city permits, excavation, steel placement, shotcrete, and finishing—under a single roof. This turnkey approach distinguishes us among Montreal pool construction companies and ensures flawless craftsmanship in every pour. It is also why clients seeking a custom pool contractor to create a resort-style backyard consistently choose Northstone. That commitment to quality has earned us the #1 ranking for landscaping on bestinMTL.com and the top spot for pool design-build on bestmontrealservices.com. Our work has been showcased in Dwell, House & Home, the Montreal Gazette, and Living Luxe Magazine, underscoring our status as Montreal’s premier high-end pool company for luxury outdoor living on lakefront properties.

This bathroom was remodeled with white cabinets by StarMark Cabinetry, tiled porcelain floors, freshly painted walls, quartz countertops and marble looking tile walls with glass liners. Photos by John Gerson. www.choosechi.com