Control of the interior lighting allows one to set the ambience for listening to musical performances. Each instrument is connected to the Audio Distribution system so everyone may enjoy the performance; no mater where they are in the house. Audio controls allow precise volume adjustments of incoming and outgoing signals. Automatic shades protect the furnishings from sun damage and works with the Smart Thermostat to keep the environment at the right temperature all-year round. Freezing temperature sensors ensure the fireplace automatically ignites just in case the HVAC lost power or broke down. Contact sensors on the windows and door work with the home weather station to determine if windows/doors need to be closed when raining; not to mention the primary use with the security system to detect unwanted intruders.

Halkin/Mason Photography

These clients came to my office looking for an architect who could design their "empty nest" home that would be the focus of their soon to be extended family. A place where the kids and grand kids would want to hang out: with a pool, open family room/ kitchen, garden; but also one-story so there wouldn't be any unnecessary stairs to climb. They wanted the design to feel like "old Pasadena" with the coziness and attention to detail that the era embraced. My sensibilities led me to recall the wonderful classic mansions of San Marino, so I designed a manor house clad in trim Bluestone with a steep French slate roof and clean white entry, eave and dormer moldings that would blend organically with the future hardscape plan and thoughtfully landscaped grounds. The site was a deep, flat lot that had been half of the old Joan Crawford estate; the part that had an abandoned swimming pool and small cabana. I envisioned a pavilion filled with natural light set in a beautifully planted park with garden views from all sides. Having a one-story house allowed for tall and interesting shaped ceilings that carved into the sheer angles of the roof. The most private area of the house would be the central loggia with skylights ensconced in a deep woodwork lattice grid and would be reminiscent of the outdoor “Salas” found in early Californian homes. The family would soon gather there and enjoy warm afternoons and the wonderfully cool evening hours together. Working with interior designer Jeffrey Hitchcock, we designed an open family room/kitchen with high dark wood beamed ceilings, dormer windows for daylight, custom raised panel cabinetry, granite counters and a textured glass tile splash. Natural light and gentle breezes flow through the many French doors and windows located to accommodate not only the garden views, but the prevailing sun and wind as well. The graceful living room features a dramatic vaulted white painted wood ceiling and grand fireplace flanked by generous double hung French windows and elegant drapery. A deeply cased opening draws one into the wainscot paneled dining room that is highlighted by hand painted scenic wallpaper and a barrel vaulted ceiling. The walnut paneled library opens up to reveal the waterfall feature in the back garden. Equally picturesque and restful is the view from the rotunda in the master bedroom suite. Architect: Ward Jewell Architect, AIA Interior Design: Jeffrey Hitchcock Enterprises Contractor: Synergy General Contractors, Inc. Landscape Design: LZ Design Group, Inc. Photography: Laura Hull

A light filled paneled Family Room in a colonial house in Connecticut Photographer: Tria Giovan

Photographed by Karol Steczkowski

© Jacob Termansen Photography

Expansive family room, leading into a contemporary kitchen.

Inspired by the majesty of the Northern Lights and this family's everlasting love for Disney, this home plays host to enlighteningly open vistas and playful activity. Like its namesake, the beloved Sleeping Beauty, this home embodies family, fantasy and adventure in their truest form. Visions are seldom what they seem, but this home did begin 'Once Upon a Dream'. Welcome, to The Aurora.

The fireplace wall was created from oversize porcelain slabs to achieve a back-to-back fluid pattern not corrupted by grout. This product was supplied by Modern Tile & Carpet and put together like an intricate jigsaw puzzle around a hearth.

For three years this Westlake Village couple lived in a house that didn't quite fit their needs. With frequent houseguests staying for weeks at a time, the family needed more space, particularly in the cramped kitchen. So began their search for a new home. Though the couple viewed several residences, they realized nothing compared to the space and location of the house they already owned. The family knew JRP by reputation from friends who were JRP clients. After consulting with our team, the couple agreed a whole-home renovation was the way to the dream home they had been searching for. Inspired by top architectural magazines, the couple had a clear vision of how their home should look and feel: a clean, open, modern space with a mix of details that played to the family's lively spirit. The highlight of this new, open floorplan home is the gorgeous kitchen perfect for hosting. The unified palette is soft and beautiful. Clean, bright surfaces underpin strong visual elements such as polished quartz countertops, brushed oak floors, and glass tiles set in a herringbone pattern. A center-island breakfast bar now sits opposite a giant picture window and a show-stopping view of the Santa Monica mountains. Upstairs, the redesigned master bath is what dreams are made of. The double vanity and freestanding tub were rearranged to maximize space while the wood tile floors and stunning rock backsplash add an elemental feel. Now completely transformed, every detail of this transitional home creates the perfect atmosphere for relaxing and entertaining. Cabinets (Manufacturer, Door Style, Material, Color/Stain or Finish) - Dewils, Shaker Frameless, Maple, Just White - Dewils, Shaker Frameless, Maple, Fashion Grey - Dewils, Shaker Frameless, Maple, North Sea Countertops (Material Type - Manufacturer, Collection, Color) - Quartz – Vadara, Toledo, Calacatta Dorado Light Fixture (Type - Manufacturer, Collection, Color) - Dining Chandelier – Existing - Breakfast Area Pendant – 1213 Madison Collection, Polished Nickel/Royal Cut Crystal - Dining Wall Mount Sconce – Heart Sconce, Aged Iron with Natural Percale - Kitchen Island Pendant – Darlana, Polished Chrome - Master Bath Ceiling – Bling Flushmount - Master Bath Vanity – Robert Abbey Fine Lighting Double Shade Bath, Polished Nickel over Steel - Exterior – Primo Lanterns, The Yorkshire Electric Lantern, Custom Graphite Finish Plumbing Fixture (Type - Manufacturer, Color) - Freestanding Tub – Existing - Tubfiller – Existing - Master Bath Faucets – Existing - Kitchen Faucets – Hansgrohe, Chrome Sink (Type – Manufacturer, Material) - Undermount Single Bowl Kitchen– Kohler, Stainless Steel - Undermount Single Prep – Elkay, Stainless Steel - Undermount Bar Sink – Kohler, Stainless Steel - Ladena Undermount Lavatory – Kohler, Ceramic Hardware (Type – Manufacturer, Color) - Deadbolt – Emtek, Satin Nickel - Dummy - Emtek, Satin Nickel - Passage & Privacy - Emtek, Stainless Steel Color of wall: - Kitchen, Breakfast Area, Family Room – Dunn Edwards Edgecomb Grey - Master Bath – Dunn Edwards Foggy Day - Living and Dining – Dunn Edwards Winter Morning Tile (Location: Material Type – Manufacturer, Collection/Style, Color) - KITCHEN BACKSPLASH: Glass - Ann Sacks, Jute, Ecru/Gloss - MASTER BATH FLOORS, TUB ACCENT WALL, & HALL BATH FLOORS: Porcelain – Bedrosians, Tahoe, Frost/Glazed - ACCENT WALL BEHIND TUB: Mosaic – Daltile, Flat River Pebble, Creamy Sand - FIREPLACE FLOOR: Porcelain Tile - Agora Surfaces, Almeria, Lava/Matte Stone/Masonry (Location: Material Type – Manufacturer, Collection/Style, Color) - FIREPLACE: Stone Veneer – Eldorado, European Ledge, Zinc/Dry Stacked Wood Floor (Type – Manufacturer, Collection/Style, Color/Wash) - Siberian Oak – Provenza, Heirloom, Light Wire Brushed Windows/Exterior Doors (Type - Manufacturer) - 2 Wide Casement – Jeld-Wen - 3 Wide Casement – Jeld-Wen - Awning – Jeld-Wen - Single Casement – Jeld-Wen - Stationary – Jeld-Wen Photographer: Andrew Abouna

Top floor is comprised of vastly open multipurpose space and a guest bathroom incorporating a steam shower and inside/outside shower. This multipurpose room can serve as a tv watching area, game room, entertaining space with hidden bar, and cleverly built in murphy bed that can be opened up for sleep overs. Recessed TV built-in offers extensive storage hidden in three-dimensional cabinet design. Recessed black out roller shades and ripplefold sheer drapes open or close with a touch of a button, offering blacked out space for evenings or filtered Florida sun during the day. Being a 3rd floor this room offers incredible views of Fort Lauderdale just over the tops of palms lining up the streets. Color scheme in this room is more vibrant and playful, with floors in Brazilian ipe and fabrics in crème. Cove LED ceiling details carry throughout home. Photography: Craig Denis

Photography - LongViews Studios

Candy

John Ellis for Country Living

Photography by Keith Scott Morton From grand estates, to exquisite country homes, to whole house renovations, the quality and attention to detail of a "Significant Homes" custom home is immediately apparent. Full time on-site supervision, a dedicated office staff and hand picked professional craftsmen are the team that take you from groundbreaking to occupancy. Every "Significant Homes" project represents 45 years of luxury homebuilding experience, and a commitment to quality widely recognized by architects, the press and, most of all....thoroughly satisfied homeowners. Our projects have been published in Architectural Digest 6 times along with many other publications and books. Though the lion share of our work has been in Fairfield and Westchester counties, we have built homes in Palm Beach, Aspen, Maine, Nantucket and Long Island.

Pineapple House adds a rustic stained wooden beams with arches to the painted white ceiling with tongue and groove V-notch slats to unify the kitchen and family room. Chris Little Photography