House

Name: Guy and Jennifer Genis Location: Sherman Oaks, CaliforniaSize: 3500 square feetYears lived in: 6 years — Own Guy and Jennifer, plus their son and daughter, all live in a bright and airy home in Sherman Oaks. The house lends its roots to California mid century modern architecture, but with the design savvy of designer Bryan Wark the Genis’s brought in a mix of traditional and Hollywood Regency design.

Name: Mark W. KnowlesLocation: Los Feliz — Los Angeles, CaliforniaSize: 1,900 square feetYears lived in: 3 years — own Mark lives in an incredibly restored Mid Century gem that offers the best example of 1960’s modern architecture. Not only was the home built the same year he was born, but he was lucky enough to acquire some of the original furniture from the original owners.

Name: Roger and Chris Stout-Hazard of Design Hazards, Buck the dog and an evil housecat Location: Agave Neighborhood — Austin, Texas Size: 1500 square feet Years lived in: 4 years — owned Roger Stout-Hazard might be best known for introducing home staging to television ten years ago with the Emmy-nominated show “Sell This House.

Name: Fi Campbell and Olivia JohnsonLocation: South Pasadena, CaliforniaSize: 700 square feetYears lived in: 1 year Fi and Livvy greeted me on a cool Sunday morning with a warm fire and a beautiful breakfast. I instantly fell in love with their small and cozy home and couldn’t believe it was only 700 square feet! There were so many special moments in their home and then their backyard topped it all.Fi and Livvy live in Caltrans housing in South Pasadena.

Name: Toby Shawe and Samy Badawy Location: Roxborough – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Size: 2300 square feet Years lived in: 18; Renovated 2008 – 2010 “Space becomes more an exciting entity that is allowed to exist purely for the pleasure of experiencing it.

Name: Lisa Zagumny and Clint HardisonLocation: Cookeville, TennesseeSize: 1500 square feetYears lived in: 7 — owned Clint and Lisa’s home appears similar to other homes on their quiet street until you walk in the front door and are greeted with a distinct, colorful palette. They have definitely put their signature on what would otherwise be a very common, and (dare I say?) boring standard house plan.

Name: Carly Uson, Lifestyle/Fashion/Beauty Publicist and owner of Carly Co. Public Relations and Jason Uson, Film/Commercial Editor with Posey (a female rottweiler), Gunner (a male rottweiler) and Rain (a male pit bull).

Name: Heather Taylor (Gallery Co-Owner & Lifestyle Blogger) and Alex de Cordoba (Gallery Co-Owner & Social Media Consultant)Location: Spaulding Square – Hollywood, CaliforniaSize: 1600 square feetYears lived in: 3 years Heather and Alex embrace all the character that their home embodies. They love their wood paneling in the bathroom and definitely appreciate the generous windows that allow for natural light.

Name: Alex and Wendy and their adorable pets, Lulu and MelLocation: Alexandria, VirginiaSize: 2,000 square feetYears lived in: 9 Situated just off the main street in the historic district of Old Town Alexandria, Alex and Wendy’s home is the epitome of the classic elegance that defines the city’s character.

Name: Freelance writer/director Michael Holbrook Moss, his youngest daughter, Adrian, little dog Peanut and lab Zoe.Location: Barton Hills — Austin, TexasSize: 1950 square feetYears lived in: 14 — owned With cool blues music pouring out of a stereo from a gorgeous wall of built-in cabinets and surrounded by vintage furniture finds, we immediately felt at home in the house of talented writer and director Michael Moss.

Name: Bradley DuncanLocation: Echo Park – Los Angeles, CaliforniaSize: 500 square feetYears lived in: 1 year When Bradley moved from Chicago to Los Angeles he looked at multiple apartments and rentals. Nothing felt like home until he finally agreed to look at a newly renovated duplex in Echo Park. The home dates back to some of the first houses in Echo Park and is made from concrete. The space was small, but had original architectural features that sold him on the rental.

Name: Caitlin WyldeLocation: Echo Park – Los Angeles, CaliforniaSize: 1500 square feetYears lived in: 13 years I fell in love with Caitlin’s home immediately as I walked through the red and white striped entryway. With her collection of vintage finds from New England and ship decor I felt like I was on vacation in the East Coast.Caitlin’s place is filled with her collections and her own art.

Name: Rachel Thurston, her husband Grant and their baby NovaLocation: Rancho — Long Beach, CaliforniaSize: 1,300 square feetYears lived in: 1 year — Rent Rachel and her husband live in an original atomic ranch home designed in the 60’s by architect Cliff May. To bring out the true essence of this home they chose simple Mid Century Modern aesthetics and rich colors. Many thanks to Julie Maigret for introducing me to Rachel.

Name: Rob and Julie MaigretLocation: Los Feliz — Los Angeles, CaliforniaSize: 3000 square feetYears lived in: 3 — Own Interior designer Julie Maigret and her husband Rob, live in their dream house right at the foothills of Griffith Park. Fashioning a current spin on Mid Century Modern influenced design, they have created a warm and inviting space to dwell in.

Name: Nancy Neil & Ethan BrostedtLocation: Carpinteria, CaliforniaSize: 1600 Square Feet – 2 bed, 2 bathYears lived in: 4 years Nancy and Ethan’s 1903 cabin features a wrap around porch and is situated on 80 acres. They rent the home from a friend whose family has owned the property since 1846. Because the home is so special and the grounds are magical, they don’t have any plans on moving anytime soon.

Name: DorynLocation: West Village, New YorkSize: 4000 square feet, 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath townhouseYears Lived In: 7 months After a few years of adhering to the widely held belief that having kids means moving to the suburbs, Doryn and her husband decided they could no longer live with that choice, and moved back to Manhattan. Fortunate enough to be able to afford a comparable square footage to that of their suburban home, Doryn and her husband found a townhouse they could love.

Name: Brian Friedman and Daniel BrownLocation: North Hollywood, CaliforniaSize: 1,500 square feetYears lived in: 8 years — Own Brian and Daniel both lead very busy lives here in Hollywood, so they’ve created a warm oasis of comfort to return home to every night. This two bedroom home has elements of Moroccan details mixed in with a very California contemporary vibe.

Name: Ryan and Michele Tansey with Buster & Lizzie (golden retrievers) Princess & Mr. Paws (softest cats ever) and our human roommate Jon McJiltonLocation: Central District/Madrona; Seattle, WashingtonSize: Built in 1903: two stories with unfinished basement. Three bedrooms, two baths plus office. 1380 finished 700 unfinishedYears lived in: 1 year, 3 months; owned I know I have a great house tour on my hands when I find myself smiling as I edit the photos.

Name: Lestat, Perry and their twin toddlers Lucrezia and OrazioLocation: Cotroceni Quarter, Bucharest, RomaniaSize: 6,000 square feet Years lived in: Owned 2.5 years 6,000 square feet is certainly a lot of space to fill, but Perry and Lestat did not shy away from the challenge. Instead, the stylish and talented Lestat designed and created a space full of color, personality, pattern, great furnishings and fun. There’s so much inspiration here, it’ll be hard to pick a favorite room.

Name: Drew and Mindy and their beloved dog, Winnie CooperLocation: Melrose, MassachusettsSize: 1,700 square feetYears lived in: almost 2 — owned After I walked up the steep-ish, ample stairs to the front door of Drew and Mindy’s house (greeted along the way by Winnie Cooper!), I walked in and remembered why it’s so much fun to be a house tour blogger. I was instantly smitten with their delightful, beautifully curated home (and their dog, but that’s another story).

Name: Jenn SchoemehlLocation: La Salle Park — St. Louis, MissouriSize: 4500 square feetYears lived in: 7 — owned The first thing you need to know about Jenn Schoemehl’s house concerns the ceilings. They’re 13 soaring feet tall. Your eye keeps going up and up and up until you finally hit the ceiling. Then, and only then, can you begin to take in the rest of the house.

Name: Chris Sewell and Kenny Osehan, owners of the Presidio MotelLocation: Santa Barbara, CaliforniaSize: 700 square feetYears lived in: 4 months Last time I visited Kenny and Chris they were living in a well decorated apartment in Santa Barbara. Well…they still live in Santa Barbara, but now live in a new house. Big congrats! They moved over a lot of their furnishings, but purchased some new items to match the style of their new home.

Location: Mt. Washington Valley, New HampshireSize: 1800 square feetYears lived in: 24 — owned I know this tour is a bit of a departure from standard Apartment Therapy fare. It’s roomier, lake-ier, and more traditionally decorated than the average tour. But it happens to be my favorite house in the world and a place of peace. So I finally decided it was time to share it. This lake house belongs to my parents. They bought it twenty four years ago.

Name: Pietsie Campbell, Stephen Hootstein, and CharlieLocation: Echo Park – Los Angeles, CaliforniaSize: 800 square feetYears lived in: 4 years Pietsie and her husband had sold their house and were on the hunt for another great place. After having no luck finding a place that really inspired them, Pietsie found a gem in Echo Park. The house was only 800 square feet, but the landlord was none other than the modern architect, Barbara Bestor.

Name: H. Keith Wagner and Sara KatzLocation: North Ferrisburgh, VermontSize: 2200 square feetYears lived in: 8 — owned We’ve seen several modern farmhouses here on Apartment Therapy. The best of the genre riffs on the traditional vernacular, and so too does this house outside of Burlington, Vermont. Keith Wagner, sculptor and landscape architect, took the landscape as his inspiration and built a house that lives peacefully with its rural surroundings rather than overpowers.

Name: John CoulterLocation: Miracle Mile — Los Angeles, CaliforniaSize: 1,500 square feet (1 bedroom + 1.5 bath)Years lived in: 5 years — own When my friends Craig Olsen and Robbie Laughlin urged me to shoot John’s house they explained his love of collecting art and decorating.

Name: Greg Hennes & Grey Helvey Location: South East — Portland, OregonSize: approximately 1600 square feetYears lived in: 6 months — rented Greg and Grey moved into their studio loft in January of this year. The vibe they’ve created is one of serene calm, mixed with innovation and creativity. The space is astounding, full of open air and light — it’s the ideal showcase for their Antler & Co. handmade goods.

Name: Alan Gonzalez Garcia, owner of new East Austin restaurant Papi Tino’s and Taco (the dog). Location: East — Austin, TexasSize: 2,500 square feetYears lived in: Owned 3 years Two things hit you first when you walk into Alan Gonzalez’s hip-looking East Austin home. One: Whoa! A black ceiling! And two: The realization that this is going to be one awesome house.

Name: Jesse Kamm (fashion designer) & Lucas Brower (founder of AP Academics) Location: Mt. Washington – Los Angeles, California Size: 1500 square feet Years lived in: 1 1/2 years Jesse and Lucas’ home represents both their love of great design and a rather minimalist lifestyle.

Name: Peter and Blair Stocker, their two kids, and a kitty named Gracie.Location: North Seattle, WashingtonSize: 2500 square feetYears lived in: 10 years, owned Peter and Blair live in a sweet (and deceptively large) house, tucked away amongst giant, shady trees in the Greenwood area of Northern Seattle. The self-employed duo have been cultivating the home’s modern twist on traditional decor over the past ten years.

Name: Tammy, John, Sam, Will, and Dobbs Location: Gulf Islands, British Columbia Size: 180 square feetYears lived in: One (mostly on weekends) Before I get started with this tour, I cannot emphasize this enough: My husband and I are not rich and we are not particularly handy. Heck, we’re not even all that smart. This latter fact was probably the driver behind why two people with little money and even fewer skills would even attempt to build a cabin on an isolated island with no amenities.

Name: Sandra Location: Brentwood — Los Angeles, CaliforniaSize: 2,400 square feetYears lived in: 8 months — Own Months ago I was visiting interior designer Craig Olsen at his showroom on La Brea. In the corner window, he had a gorgeous black and white striped couch on display. He told me how he had custom upholstered it for his client Sandra’s new home. After almost a year of residence, Sandra welcomes us to her new Brentwood abode.

Name: Beatrice Valenzuela (shoe designer and hairdresser) & Ramsey Conder (clay modeler for Tesla Motors) Location: Echo Park – Los Angeles, California Size: 800 square feet Years lived in: 1 year A good friend, Kathryn Bentley, suggested I tour Beatrice and Ramsey’s unique and well decorated Echo Park home. From the moment I walked through the door I knew their place was very special. There were no barriers between the indoor and outdoor areas.

Name: Harper and Caleb Carnes with Piper the PomeranianLocation: Dalton, GeorgiaSize: 2000 square feetYears lived in: Own — 9 months Sure, we used the word “sophisticated” in the title because it pairs so cheerfully with the word “Southern,” but make no mistake; the Georgia home of cute couple Harper and Caleb might be grown-up and good-looking, but it’s also bold, bright, adventurous, fun and full of inspiring ideas and enviable thrift store finds.

Name: Amy & Greg Strunk, their brand new baby, Graham, and their two kittens, Pips and Fawkes Location: Penderbrook (Fairfax, VA)Size: 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, 2 ½ baths on 4 floorsYears lived in: owned 4 years I didn’t even have to look at the house number to find Amy and Greg’s home on photo shoot day— as soon as I saw the flowers and foliage cascading down the front steps I knew I had arrived. Knowing that Amy is a landscape designer, that part was a giveaway.

Name: Cody, Kamie & Sophia RasmussenLocation: North Beach — Seattle, WashingtonSize: 2240 square feetYears lived in: 5 — rown Cody, a graphic designer and owner of the custom furniture shop Modgrain, his realtor wife, Kamie, and their daughter, Sophia, have settled into one of the hidden gem neighborhoods of Seattle.

Name: Noa Azoulay-Sclater & Stuart SclaterLocation: Spring Valley — San Diego, CASize: Home: 2 bedrooms, 1 bath. 1100 sq ft, built in 1951. Studio: about 300 sq ft. Shed-to-studio remodel in 2010.Years lived in: 2 yrs — owned A suburban corner of San Diego’s Spring Valley neighborhood feels more like Laurel Canyon in its bohemian heyday, at least at the midcentury house owned by Noa Azoulay-Sclater, a photographer, and her husband Stuart Sclater, a musician.

Name: Shannon KayeLocation: San Mateo — just south of San Francisco, CaliforniaSize: 1,000 square feetYears lived in: 6 years — rent Shannon Kaye, a Bay Area interior designer is “making room for more”. With years of experience in the design industry and host on the DIY Network, she opens up her personal home to share her ideas with us. She has used a rich palette of textures and color to bring out the charm of her DIY home.

Name: Jennifer DyerLocation: Hollywood Hills, CaliforniaSize: 2960 square feetYears lived in: 1 1/2 years Jennifer has a designer’s eye for confidently pulling together different styles across a mixture of unique furnishings. She loves scavenger finds — her leather dining room side chair was found on the side of the road. She is not afraid to shop at high and low sources to create a personal and unique home. At the end of the day, it comes down to the design and not the price tag.

Name: Sabrina Ward HarrisonLocation:Silver Lake — Los Angeles, CaliforniaSize: Approximately 1100 Square FeetYears lived in: 5 months — rent Sabrina Ward Harrison, a prolific Los Angeles based artist, has shared her entire life in print for over a decade. Mixing medias such as photography and painting in with her text, she has this sentimental way of bringing out the rawest of emotions through everything she writes about.

Name: Samantha, Lindsay and UshaLocation: Downtown — Santa Barbara, CaliforniaSize: 1,500 square feetYears lived in: 2 Samantha, Lindsey and their housemate, Usha, have made a sunshine–drenched home of their own with a few coats of paint, some great DIYs and a whole lot of art work made by family members. Their laid back style is both accessible and inspiring.

Name:: Elizabeth Low and David Cash and their 2 year old daughter VioletLocation: Mar Vista — Los Angeles, CaliforniaSize: 903 Square FeetYears lived in: 2 — Own Elizabeth Low and her husband David Cash have created a lush and happy home. With no shortage of good weather, this small family enjoys the perks of rich landscaping and plenty of open space. Their daughter Violet has the best of both worlds; a cozy little bedroom to call her own and huge backyard to play in.

Name: Sean and Mandi EhmanLocation: West VirginiaSize: 1,977 square feetYears lived in: 4 This contemporary-style home in West Virginia is a unique example of how to customize a modular home and make it beautiful, but more than the aesthetic result, it’s the fruit of living intentionally that shines.

Name: Craig Olsen & Richard KoningsburgLocation: Hancock Park — Los Angeles, CaliforniaSize: 3000 square feet Years lived in: 10 years An interior designer’s own home represents his or her personal style, but is also a representation of their skill set as a designer. I had heard that designer Craig Olsen’s home was very special. I patiently waited months for this tour because he wanted his space to be just perfect before he shared it with us.

Name: Isabelle Dahlin and Brandon BoudetLocation: Echo Park, CaliforniaSize: 1,250 square feetYears lived in: 5 years — Own What do you get when you mix an interior designer and chef under one roof? A lovely one bedroom English style cottage with incredible landscaping, an organic vegetable garden and a chicken coop! Isabelle Dahlin, owner of deKor, and her boyfriend Brandon Boudet, of Little Dom’s, have created the ideal getaway right at home in the hills of Echo Park.

Name: Zoe Feldman and Trey Location: Georgetown — Washington, DCSize: 2 bedrooms, 1 full bath, 2 half baths. Approx: 1200 sq ftYears lived in: almost 2 years — owned Seeing what tricks designers use in their own homes is always a treat, but getting to peek into the home of an interior designer as unique as Zoe Feldman is a total thrill, especially since she was so open about sharing tips and resources.

Name: Maryam and MaxLocation: Beachwood Canyon – Los Angeles, CaliforniaSize: 1,900 square feetYears lived in: 10 years Living in the Hollywood Hills with an unobstructed city view is one of the ultimate LA fantasies. Maryam and Max’s home is beautifully designed with modern furniture and a collection of Maryam’s pottery scattered throughout the house. My favorite room is definitely the sitting room, where they often enjoy breakfast while taking in the view.

Name: Penny, Petra and Sydney CortrightLocation: The Mesa — Santa Barbara, CaliforniaSize: 2,600 square feet (including a 600 square foot attached studio rental)Years lived in: 20 — owned Never have I turned a corner to face a staircase that literally reads, painted on the stairs, “And I’ll Buy You a Stairway to Heaven.” This detail leads to many more creative twists and turns, as I toured this unique home on the top of a hill in Santa Barbara.

Name: Jeff and Mary LaCosteLocation: Crown Hill — Seattle, WashingtonSize: 2100 square feetYears lived in: 4 — 3BR, owned Behold! It’s the folks behind ModKnobs, which we featured back in 2009 (custom modern doorknobs made from hockey pucks). Rehabbing their home from the the ground up, Jeff and Mary left no detail untouched.

Name: Deron and Marye Miller, Son Conner – 15; Daughter Macee – 12; Boston Terriers Sparky, Slinger and Murphy and Chihuahua Wilbur Location: Rollingwood — Austin, TXSize: 4000 square feetYears lived in: Owned 1 year You know the state saying: “Everything’s bigger in Texas.” Because we have a little more room to stretch out here, our houses are sometimes larger than the norm.

Name: Sam Spencer and Dominic WilliamsonLocation: Phinney Ridge — Seattle, WashingtonSize: 2000 sq feetYears lived in: 8.5 years Sam, Dominic and their two little girls live on a sunny hill in the neighborhood of Phinney Ridge in Seattle. The house stands out on the street as a sweet, contemporary haven with subtle storybook details. Their bright, red, front door and modern, silver house numbers are just a preview of the chic decor inside.

Name: Anne Ingman, photographer and blogger, and Jake Ingman, along with dog Judy Location: Saint Paul, Minnesota Size: 842 square feet Years lived in: Owned 4 years The Minnesota home of married couple Anne and Jake Ingman absolutely exudes friendliness, warmth and style. Simply decorated to maximize space, the result is a bright and airy home that fits the personalities of two young, stay-at-home, creative people. Dog Judy also makes an excellent visual accessory for any room!

Name: Shannan Martin, along with her husband Cory and 3 kidsLocation: Wakarusa, IndianaSize: 2300 square feetYears lived in: 4 — owned We see a lot of urban spaces in house tours around here so Shannan and Cory’s farmhouse is something a little different. Nestled in the lush green fields of Amish country, the couple have created a dreamy little haven that is stylish in its simplicity.

Name: Minh and Ted Location: Miracle Mile — Los Angeles, California Size: 1,700 square feet Years lived in: 8 years When Minh and Ted received an unexpected offer on their West Hollywood place, within days they were on the hunt for a new place to call home. Their realtor found them a distressed house that required a lot of work – you never really know the scope of what you are getting into until you are deep in renovation.

Name: Paul Location: San Luis Obispo, California Size: 1,800 square feet (house) and 325 square feet (guest house) Years lived in: 49 years Paul’s home is filled with many classic MCM furniture pieces — such as the Eames lounge, Eames rocker, Eero Saarinen’s tulip chair and the Bertoia wire chair — which is mixed in with a great selection of modern art.

Name: Haley and Ted, + their dog RupertLocation: Summerland, California (a little coastal town just a few miles south of Santa Barbara)Size: 950 square feetYears lived in: About 1 year — rent Haley and Ted live in one of those idyllic, adorable bright cottages with a traditional porch that face the coast of a sleepy beach town. Nestled in between some of the best wineries and vintage shops, their three bedroom home presents a wonderful palette of textiles and colors.

Name: Jen Ramos Location: Henderson, Nevada Size: 2,800 square feet Years lived in: 8 months At the end of last year, Jen started the process of remodeling her kitchen. She posted a few inspirational photos and a photo of her kitchen on her design blog, Made By Girl. I was so excited to see the transformation that I kept checking in and waiting to see the final result of her new kitchen. Jen gave me a peek at the rest of her house and I couldn’t resist a full house tour.

Name: Alexis, George, Eva (5), Theo (2), and Xander (2 months) Location: Los Angeles, CaliforniaSize: 2,500 square feetYears lived in: 3 years — owned The Stathoulis home makes everyone who enters it feel transported. It feels as if the air is fresher, the food richer, and the light is…Mediterranean? When I first visited this gem of a home I didn’t pick up on it right away.

Name: Chancie, Dan, and Clark Meehan Location: Mt. Washington — Los AngelesSize: 2,000 square feetYears lived in: 9 — owned Chancie and Dan have worked hard to update and expand their tiny hillside starter home and the result of their efforts is a surprisingly harmonious mix of modern, traditional, rustic, and quirky — a combination that aptly reflects the home’s inhabitants and its setting.

Name: Clay Ferguson (aka FERG), vinyl toy designer and owner of toy companies Playge and Jamungo, his wife, artist Sarah Ferguson, their daughter, Georgia and delightful dog, Blackie.Location: Hyde Park — Austin, TexasSize: 1200 square feet Years lived in: Owned 2 years We love a sleek, modern-looking home, but don’t love a space that seems too serious to be enjoyed.

Name: Donna WilliamsLocation: British Columbia, CanadaSize: 1800 square feetYears lived in: 5 — owned If you compare DIY to karate (stay with me now), then Donna Williams would be a 10th degree black belt. This single mom is a “Pallet Princess” from the North who isn’t afraid of power tools or realistic timelines for home improvement projects.

Name: Chris SavoyLocation: Hollywood — Los Angeles, CASize: 2,450 square feet- 3 bedroom, 2.5 bathYears lived in: 6 months- own Chris Savoy’s home is a half a year old, stunning in design and custom built to enjoy the warm Los Angeles climate. The open floor plan that seamlessly joins the back yard to the center of the home offers a bohemian feel, while the decor and fixtures are simplistic and minimal.

Name: Jo-Anne Bichard & Howard PotterLocation: Deptford — SE LondonSize: 800 square feetYears lived in: 9 — rented/owned: a bit of both — UK program of shared ownership This design anthropologist (Jo-Anne) and oncology nurse (Howard) have long lived in southeast London — from several years renting in New Cross to taking great advantage of shared ownership with this new build terrace house/millennium design in Deptford.

Name: Alex & Debra Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts Size: 1,406 square feet Years lived in: 4½ Living on the East Coast offers residents a choice in housing stock of homes built before the 1900s. Finding fluted columns on the exterior of a Greek revival home is commonplace, but finding the columns on the inside of the house was a surprise for Alex and Debra.

Name: Nana Kim, her husband, their 2-year-old daughter and 2 catsLocation: Bouldin Neighborhood — Austin, TexasSize: 2,300 square feetYears lived in: 4 The home designed by Nana Kim, of 9 square studio, is a dream for anyone who loves modern design and nature.

Name: John Schoenfeld & Sophie Schoenfeld Location: Joshua Tree, CaliforniaSize: 1,450 square feetYears lived in: 7 Desert living is quite different than living in the city. Many Angelenos make the trip to Joshua Tree to relax and bask in the hot and dry climate. John and Sophie wanted to create the best of both worlds when designing their home. They wanted the local desert environment reflected in their decor, but with modern elements incorporated.

Name: Penny, Mark, Minnie & Charlie Leaver Green & cat FynnLocation: Kingsdown — Bristol, UKSize: 1500 square feetYears lived in: 3 — owned Textile artist Penny Leaver Green knows how to make the most of her historic 1850 home. She’s graciously kept the many of the home’s distinguished elements while adding a touch of sophistication. This looks like a fantastic home for Penny and her husband to raise their two children.

Name: Cory Buckner & Nick RobertsLocation: Malibu, CaliforniaSize: 700 square feetYears lived in: 2 Years Cory and Nick’s place is about an hour outside of the city. After driving miles and miles up the winding streets to the summit, we finally reached their home. The expansive view, which includes the ocean on clear days, was well worth the drive. I counted just five other homes in sight and the only noise was that of birds.

Name: ThomasLocation: VirginiaSize: 11,000 square feetYears lived in: 56 — owned When Thomas first started planning his home, he brought his high sense of standards and strong opinions to the project. Not content to hand it over to others to complete, he believed one’s home should ultimately represent individual sensibilities. This meant that nothing was too small to be involved with – from the overall architecture, down to the smallest interior detail.

Name: Saule & Chris and their three young childrenLocation: Frederick, MarylandSize: 2,800 square feet — 4 bedroomsYears lived in: 9 — owned (and still changing it every day) My first thought on walking through Saule’s door was, “how on earth does this stylish woman keep her house looking this perfect with three young kids and a busy career?” She and Chris have mastered the art of balancing interesting and unique accents with durable, practical materials.

Name: Marlous Snijder & Pim Van de VisLocation: Veenendaal, The NetherlandsSize: 1,600 square feetYears lived in: 6 months — owned Apartment Therapy is in dire need of some more international house tours and I’m determined to change that. What better home to start with than a bright, sunny dwelling in The Netherlands? Marlous & Pim have styled their home with perfection. This Dutch couple’s home needs to be shared with the world!