Many of the finishes were reclaimed from the previous home or from local sources. Site placement and thoughtful window selection allow for daylight to stream into the home even on a gray day. This home is LEED Platinum Certified and was built by Meadowlark Design + Build in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

TV Wohnwand mit Klappenelementen Lack weiß Moritz Thiele Photografie

A rustic cabin is transformed from a catch-all to a cozy and inviting family Skate Cabin. Complete with a fridge, wood burning stove and lots of storage for all the skates.

In a separate wing on the second floor, a guest suite awaits. Entertaining guests and family members for a night or a few weeks has never been easier. With an oversized bedroom that sleeps four, spa bath, large living room and kitchen, this house contains the perfect guest suite. Designed to incorporate the clean lines captured throughout the house, the living room offers a private space and very comfortable sitting area. The cozy kitchen surrounded with custom made cabinetry, a hand cut glass backsplash featuring cooking terminology (“grill”,“simmer”) and black granite counters offers guests an opportunity to steal away for a quiet meal or a quick midnight snack. Privately tucked away off the back staircase and away from the main house, the only problem with this guest suite is that your in-laws may never want to leave. Exiting down the backstairs, you arrive in an expansive mudroom with built-in cubbies and cabinetry, a half bath, a “command center” entered through a sliding glass barn door and, something every pet owner needs, a dog wash!

This beautiful lakefront New Jersey home is replete with exquisite design. The sprawling living area flaunts super comfortable seating that can accommodate large family gatherings while the stonework fireplace wall inspired the color palette. The game room is all about practical and functionality, while the master suite displays all things luxe. The fabrics and upholstery are from high-end showrooms like Christian Liaigre, Ralph Pucci, Holly Hunt, and Dennis Miller. Lastly, the gorgeous art around the house has been hand-selected for specific rooms and to suit specific moods. Project completed by New York interior design firm Betty Wasserman Art & Interiors, which serves New York City, as well as across the tri-state area and in The Hamptons. For more about Betty Wasserman, click here: https://www.bettywasserman.com/ To learn more about this project, click here: https://www.bettywasserman.com/spaces/luxury-lakehouse-new-jersey/

The Barefoot Bay Cottage is the first-holiday house to be designed and built for boutique accommodation business, Barefoot Escapes (www.barefootescapes.com.au). Working with many of The Designory’s favourite brands, it has been designed with an overriding luxe Australian coastal style synonymous with Sydney based team. The newly renovated three bedroom cottage is a north facing home which has been designed to capture the sun and the cooling summer breeze. Inside, the home is light-filled, open plan and imbues instant calm with a luxe palette of coastal and hinterland tones. The contemporary styling includes layering of earthy, tribal and natural textures throughout providing a sense of cohesiveness and instant tranquillity allowing guests to prioritise rest and rejuvenation. Images captured by Jessie Prince

Vista dalla cucina al soggiorno. L'ampia vetrata consente di godere della vista del giardino in ogni angolo in cui si cucina, si pranza, si stazione sul proprio divano.

F. de Ribaucourt

Pearson Design Group Architects // Haven Interior Design // Audrey Hall Photography

Library Design, Joseph DeLeo Photography

This 1964 Preston Hollow home was in the perfect location and had great bones but was not perfect for this family that likes to entertain. They wanted to open up their kitchen up to the den and entry as much as possible, as it was small and completely closed off. They needed significant wine storage and they did want a bar area but not where it was currently located. They also needed a place to stage food and drinks outside of the kitchen. There was a formal living room that was not necessary and a formal dining room that they could take or leave. Those spaces were opened up, the previous formal dining became their new home office, which was previously in the master suite. The master suite was completely reconfigured, removing the old office, and giving them a larger closet and beautiful master bathroom. The game room, which was converted from the garage years ago, was updated, as well as the bathroom, that used to be the pool bath. The closet space in that room was redesigned, adding new built-ins, and giving us more space for a larger laundry room and an additional mudroom that is now accessible from both the game room and the kitchen! They desperately needed a pool bath that was easily accessible from the backyard, without having to walk through the game room, which they had to previously use. We reconfigured their living room, adding a full bathroom that is now accessible from the backyard, fixing that problem. We did a complete overhaul to their downstairs, giving them the house they had dreamt of! As far as the exterior is concerned, they wanted better curb appeal and a more inviting front entry. We changed the front door, and the walkway to the house that was previously slippery when wet and gave them a more open, yet sophisticated entry when you walk in. We created an outdoor space in their backyard that they will never want to leave! The back porch was extended, built a full masonry fireplace that is surrounded by a wonderful seating area, including a double hanging porch swing. The outdoor kitchen has everything they need, including tons of countertop space for entertaining, and they still have space for a large outdoor dining table. The wood-paneled ceiling and the mix-matched pavers add a great and unique design element to this beautiful outdoor living space. Scapes Incorporated did a fabulous job with their backyard landscaping, making it a perfect daily escape. They even decided to add turf to their entire backyard, keeping minimal maintenance for this busy family. The functionality this family now has in their home gives the true meaning to Living Better Starts Here™.

@juliettemogenet