Celeste Sunderland

Name: Nancy and Robert SalzLocation: Berkeley, CaliforniaYears lived in: 25 Nancy Salz says her home is devoid of architectural interest. But over the past 25 years, she and her husband Robert have embellished their three-bedroom family lair with lovingly crafted DIY projects and intriguing collections, making it one of the most colorful and creative homes in Berkeley, California. The first floor flows easily from room to room showcasing vibrant surprises around every corner.

Name: Ros Wyatt (of Green Plum Design) and James VernonLocation: Kensington, CaliforniaSize: 2,100 sq/ftYears lived in: 9, OwnedWho else lives here: Jack, Mischa and Alfie In classic English style, interior decorator Ros Wyatt’s San Francisco Bay home features a multitude of pretty prints. A plaid throw drapes over a wing chair, gingham rambles across a coverlet, mod poppies blossom beside a bed, and cabbage roses bloom in the medicine cabinet.

Name: Johnelle Mancha (Founder of Mignonne Décor)Location: Oakland, CaliforniaSize: 980 sq/ftYears lived in: 5 months, rented Stepping into artist and designer Johnelle Mancha’s Oakland cottage is like entering one of the great salons of 1920s Paris. Welcoming rooms, outfitted in exquisite vintage decor whisper of European aristocracy, Middle Eastern adventures, and the joys of classic American recreation.

Name: Melissa Lisbon & Stephen Hood Location: San Jose, CaliforniaSize: 1,900 sq/ftYears lived in: 3 years, rented A radiant white facade surrounded by a profusion of coastal California foliage is what initially caught the eye of Melissa Lisbon and Stephen Hood. But the myriad details they’ve discovered over the last three years have made the 1930 Spanish Colonial Revival home much more than just a residence.

Name: Kate Brierley and Joseph SwiaderLocation: Jamestown, Rhode IslandYears lived in: 3Who else lives here: Otto the bulldog, Bize the Dogue de Bordeux, and William Shatner the cat. A swath of deep purple silk billows in the misty breeze that sweeps into Kate Brierley’s home studio. Beyond the open door opposite her desk, Southern New England fog hovers above a lush green lawn.

Name: Imke & Thorsten Laux and their two daughters, aged 9 and 4-years-old.Location: Berlin, GermanyYears lived in: Rented for 2 years You can almost feel the ocean air when you emerge onto the second level of Imke and Thorsten Laux’s apartment in Berlin. Though it’s many miles from Germany’s northern coastline, a muted palette of sand and sea grass creates a soothing atmosphere in this lofty family lair.

Name: Lark Roderigues and Patrick Aguiar Location: Portsmouth, Rhode IslandSize: 1,500 sq/ftYears lived in: 2 (rented), 30 (owned)Who else lives here: Moxie Brown the dachshund/chihuahua and Lola the Siamese cat One Christmas a few years ago, a gaggle of brothers and sisters pulled up to the 1750 farmhouse where they grew up.

Name: Tim Shetz and Patricia LeoniLocation: Alameda, CaliforniaSize: 1,684 sq/ftYears lived in: 7, ownedWho else lives here: Thomas their 8-month old baby, Piper the dog, Cooper and Cleopatra the kitties. Tim Shetz is a DIY kind of guy. From the kitchen cabinets to the back yard patio, he’s taken on a handful of home renovation projects since purchasing his 1930s craftsman bungalow seven years ago. The historic San Francisco Bay area residence features a bevy of unusual original details.

Name: Jacob and Caitlin GlaserLocation: Williston, VermontSize: 2,000 sq/ftYears lived in: 12 years, ownedWho else lives here: Ollie the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Annabelle the Maine Coon cat. Natural light spills into Caitlin and Jacob’s spacious and airy Vermont home, reflecting off walls of pumpkin orange and lemon yellow.