About the Home

About the Home Built in: 1911. Bought in: 2010. Size: 3,000 sq. ft. The house features 40-plus first windows in varying shapes and sizes, such as one with stained glass (not pictured).  



Front Door The oversize glass on top imitates the airiness of the home's many big windows. Pattern 118 in fir, from $323, roguevalleydoor.com; Paint: Pure White by Sherwin-Williams



Paint Colors "I spent a great deal of time exploring paint colors that would fit the period and style of this house," says homeowner S. Allister Fisher. "The blue siding makes me grin whenever I get home." Siding: Deep Sea Dive by Sherwin-Williams; Trim: Pure White from Sherwin-Williams; Porch: Red Theatre by Sherwin-Williams



Landscaping and Hedges "When I bought the house, it had been obscured by overgrown trees and shrubs," says Fisher. He cleared out the yard to generate way for a manicured backyard, such as pink and crimson Knock Out roses directly in front. Six viburnum hedges, which can be split by an ornamental podocarpus tree around the home's left side, offer lots of greenery for little effort.



Porch Light The intricate sidelights of the door are balanced from by A simple pendant. Craftmade 11"H x 6"-diameter cast-aluminum pendant in matte black, $40, atgstores.com



Stacked Planters and Flowerpots On every side of front door, Fisher created a dual-level screen: He filled each reduce planter with mulch, set a paver in the centre to support the urn, then planted sedum, which spills over the sides of the planter, in soil. In the center is an urn. Weighty planters flanking the steps are full of boxwoods and yellow mini petunias that give a cheery welcome.



Door Handle Its curvy shape adds character to the white door. Baldwin Richmond mortise handleset, $573, capecodbrass.com



About the Home Constructed in: 2012. Size: 3,400 sq. ft. The house is faced in two types of siding painted different shades of gray. The first floor has lap siding; the second floor's HardieShingle siding replicates the look of cedar shakes. "Even though our home is newly constructed, we built it with the surrounding historic neighborhood in your mind," say homeowners Karie and Joseph Kovacocy.   "It's modern conveniences but really suits the place."



Double Front Doors This sunny set of doors with glass panels is just one of 10 sets throughout the house--mostly on the back--so the Kovacocys can take full advantage of indoor-outdoor living. Smooth Star doorways, $965 per pair, thermatru.com; paint: Baroque by ColorLife by Sherwin-Williams



House Numbers Sleek metal specimens feel fresh but are not out of place in the historic neighborhood. Architectural Mailboxes 4"-tall cast-brass house numbers, from $8 each, allmodern.com



Paint Colors Second-floor siding: Ott by ColorLife by Sherwin-Williams; First-floor siding: Estate by ColorLife by Sherwin-Williams; Trim: Tree Bark by ColorLife by Sherwin-Williams; Front door: Baroque by ColorLife by Sherwin-Williams



Landscaping and Potted Plants On the far side of the home, purple Chinese witch hazel and a brief European fan palm liven up the otherwise uniform yard. Spiky yucca plants, which make pruned frequently, jut out from tall metal baskets from the porch's seating area.



Concrete Walkway A stepping-stone-style path of square concrete pavers echoes the clean lines of the house.



Mailbox Tiny peepholes let you know when the mail has arrived--cute touch! Salsbury Industries conventional mailbox in black, $60, casa.com



Door Handles Slim handlesets gleam from the doors' cheerful color. Kwikset Tavaris single cylinder sectional contemporary handleset in satin chrome, $132, build.com



Seating Area Place between two glowing yellowish Adirondack chairs, a black wicker block table offers a contemporary take on a classic cloth, ideal for the house's new-meets-old vibe. International Concepts Adirondack chairs in yellow, $159 each, wayfair.com; Caluco Dijon 35"W x 29"D x 16"H wicker glass-top coffee table, $598, luxedecor.com



About the House Built in: 1940. Bought in: 1996. Size: 3,000 sq. ft. "Only two families owned this house before us, and its allure is still very much intact," says homeowner Teresa Wood. "The traditional red-brick facade and front porch remind my husband, Joe, of his childhood home." By extending the walkway right into a brick railroad pad, the Woods made space for cars without compromising the house's character.



Front Door The Woods' puppy, Hunter, enjoys to peer out of the glass-paneled door, which is original to the house. Bevel King 6-panel mahogany door with insulated beveled glass panels, $810, georgiafrontdoors.com; paint: Dunmore Lotion by Benjamin Moore



Door Knocker The dark bronze finish warms up the mild front door. RK International Hardware door knocker in oil-rubbed bronze, $31, myknobs.com



Paint Colors Shutters: Yorktowne Green by Benjamin Moore. Trim: Dunmore Cream by Benjamin Moore; Porch flooring: Nation Redwood by Benjamin Moore



Hanging Fern and Potterd Plants A feathery Boston fern looks sweet suspended from the porch ceiling. Like the remainder of the landscaping, this plant will keep its colour all year at the warm climate. Copper-color planters match the painted porch ground. Each one holds a Eugenia topiary surrounded by variegated English ivy.



Rocking Chairs Teak rockers appear welcoming on the porch. With three there's always an extra chair if a neighbor swings by. Anderson Teak Palm Beach rocking armchair, $550, madisonseating.com



Post Lights Topped with antique-looking finials, the outside lights onto the brick posts match the house's traditional sense. Ardmore 23"-tall outdoor post light in vintage rust, $160, lampsplus.com



Doormat Its design combines the porch with the railings. Natural rubber pineapple legacy doormat, $36, overstock.com

Casa Marina Resort, Key West, Fla..

Casa Marina Resort, Key West, Fla.. Founded in 1920, this historical hotel was intended by railroad tycoon Henry Flagler as a tropical destination for well-to-do passengers of his Overseas Railroad. Produced by famed architects Thomas Hastings and John M. Carrera (who designed the Metropolitan Opera House and Public Library at New York), the hotel's classic Spanish revival exterior and verdant grounds have made it endorsement to the National Register of Historic Places. The hotel has hosted presidents and celebrities, such as Cary Grant, Gregory Peck and Rita Hayworth, and has served as officers' quarters for the U.S. Navy during World War II, then in the home base for the Army's Sixth Missile Battalion during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Image courtesy of Oyster.com



Viceroy Miami, Miami, Fla.. Produced by tastemaker Kelly Wearstler, the resort's suites are definitely cosmopolitan, mixing her signature Hollywood regency style with a watery color palette along with a touch of Asian influence. Picture courtesy of Viceroy Miami



Viceroy Santa Monica, Santa Monica Calif.. Definitely a spot to see and be seen, the hotel's pool area is as renowned for celebrity sightings as it is because of its timeless Old Hollywood look. Designer Kelly Wearstler oversaw every detail, filling the outdoor area with comfortable chaise longues for sun seekers and lavish sheltered pavilions for guests desiring a little bit of solitude. Image courtesy of Viceroy Santa Monica



Four Seasons Maui, Maui, Hawaii Sitting oceanfront on calm Wailea beach, this impeccably landscaped 15-acre hotel has become a favourite getaway for celebs and well-to-do families alike. The property's three saltwater pools, illuminated fountains and cascading water features are just some of the hotel's many attractions. The house also houses an extensive contemporary Hawaiian art collection and an outpost of celebrity Chef Wolfgang Puck's Spago restaurant. Picture courtesy of Oyster.com



Viceroy Santa Monica, Santa Monica Calif.. Epitomizing Southern California's indoor/outdoor way of life, the patio dining area at the hotel's award-winning restaurant, Whist, boasts upholstered wingback dining seats and a feature wall covered in classic English transferware. Picture courtesy of Viceroy Santa Monica



The Setai, Miami, Fla.. This award winning hotel blends Asian Zen principles with a decidedly modern aesthetic. Lead architect and designer Jean-Michel Gathy made this peaceful outdoor water garden where guests may sit quietly at one with nature or enjoy sophisticated nibbles in sunken dining areas. Picture courtesy of Oyster.com



The Kahala Hotel and Resort, Oahu, Hawaii Constructed in 1964 by hotel magnate Conrad Hilton in Kahala — a secluded and exclusive residential area 10 minutes away from touristy, bustling Waikiki — the property has hosted a who's-who of celebrities, royals and presidents since its launching. In fact, Liz Taylor and Richard Burton spent their honeymoon here shortly after the hotel's opening. The guest rooms have undergone a massive renovation to create one of the largest deluxe rooms in Hawaii, each with his-and-her bathroom closets, walk-in closets plus a traditional-meets-tropical aesthetic. Image courtesy of Oyster.com



Viceroy Miami, Miami, Fla.. Designer Kelly Wearstler fearlessly utilized a color palette of hot orange, slate grey and chartreuse to make a stunning backdrop for restaurant Eos's acclaimed Mediterranean menu of sophisticated health-conscious snacks. Image courtesy of Viceroy Miami



W South Beach, Miami, Fla.. Contrary to South Beach's glitzy art deco hotels, the design aesthetic in the W is thoroughly contemporary. Designer Anna Busta gave the lobby's "living area" an art-gallery-meets-hip-nightclub texture with soaring dark marble walls, profound Italian leather sofas and massive tufted benches. A nearby pub serves signature cocktails, or guests can grab a snack at Mr. Chow's outpost eatery. Image courtesy of Oyster.com



Viceroy Santa Monica, Santa Monica, Calif.. Mirrored panels behind the bed create a decorative architectural component that functions to make the room appear both bigger and brighter. Sand-colored grass fabric on the walls and between the ceiling's coffers adds a warm tone which helps to break up the room's cool white, black and gray color scheme. Picture courtesy of Viceroy Santa Monica



Viceroy Miami, Miami, Fla.. The hotel's baths are a spare-no-expense spa-like encounter with Sferra linens, Neil George toiletries and Kelly Wearstler's glamorous design touches. She joined slick modern fixtures with black, white, white and green marble, wall-to-wall mirrors and Asian-inspired displays. Picture courtesy of Viceroy Miami



Viceroy Miami, Miami, Fla.. Located on the resort's fifteenth floor, this rooftop eatery offers breathtaking views of Biscayne Bay and dozens of scantily clad beautiful people sunning themselves around what many consider the best pool in Miami — a 300-foot-long infinity pool that is the largest in the state. Picture courtesy of Viceroy Miami



W South Beach, Miami, Fla.. Large and luxurious, this bath feels spa-like with double sinks, wall-to-wall rock decks, a walk in shower with body jets and crystal clear glass panels that let in lots of light. Image courtesy of Oyster.com



Viceroy Santa Monica, Santa Monica Calif.. Guests of the hotel can enjoy a romantic dinner alfresco at one of their private cabanas located beyond the hotel's restaurant, Whist. Cast-iron horsehead hitching posts stand sentinel while the cabana's black color strategy, massive shield mirror and Chinese Chippendale chairs evoke the glamour of Hollywood regency style. Image courtesy of Viceroy Santa Monica



W South Beach, Miami, Fla.. Really a room with a view, each of the hotel's 312 rooms boasts an amazing balcony. Floor-to-ceiling windows flooding the room with sunlight and allow you to take in the opinion even while lounging inside. W Hotels' famous modern styling is evident from the glossy faux-bois ceramic tile floor, sculptural acrylic space divider and mirrored headboard. Two flat-screen TVs (one in the bedroom, yet another in the living area), 310-thread-count Egyptian linens and a stocked bar area make this suite a cut above the rest. Picture courtesy of Oyster.com



Sheraton Delfina, Santa Monica, Calif.. Only minutes from the Getty where art lovers can lose themselves in the museum's world-renowned set, the hotel's soaring lobby comes with a display uniquely its own: vintage shell lithographs hung gallery style to make an attention-grabbing grouping. Picture courtesy of Sheraton Delfina



W South Beach, Miami, Fla.. For a fee, guests can enjoy a private poolside cabana complete with a mini-fridge plus also a deep, cushy sectional. And because pets are welcome at all W hotels, your very best friend can curl up on the sofa with you while you enjoy one of the hotel's signature cocktails or just love the scenery. Picture courtesy of Oyster.com

Little Studio With Big Style

Little Studio With Big Style Hand-painted pinstripes and removable wallpaper on a single accent wall add instant style for this small studio on Manhattan's Upper West Side. A petite sofa comes alive with cushions that contain bold brushstrokes of magenta, and a feather Juju hangs above as a whimsical touch. A contemporary console table does triple duty as a vanity, workspace and dining table.



Little Shotgun Style Since this shotgun-style apartment is only eight feet broad and 375-square-feet total, it was essential to keep a clear pathway across the middle, making a bit of a galley-style home. To maintain the apartment both practical and fashionable, furniture has been organized along two different walls with nothing in the center, balanced visually with proper scale and proportion.



Smart Studio Storage Closets are a terrific way to store clothing and other household essentials, but they might be a challenge in a small space.   Removing closet doors is a fantastic way to make a closet in a small space feel larger and provide you simple access to the items inside.   Drapes are a wonderful alternative for those who like an open closet but want the choice to close up things when guests come over.



Sleek Efficient Loft The kitchen and living area in this 330-square-foot nyc studio apartment is maintained yummy to lessen visual clutter and maximize space. The floor-to-ceiling kitchen cabinetry offers storage, even though a compact dining table does double time for dining and functioning.   A sleek, compact kitchen doubles as the base for a lofted bed to include additional space.



Mastering a Tiny Apartment Upon entrance, the dining area opens on the sleeping place, which makes the proper placement of living room furniture hard. However, a set of French doors separates the bedroom in the dining room. Glass panels provide privacy without sacrificing natural light.



Privacy Wall Partial walls produce the sensation of a separate and personal sleeping area in this crisp, white studio flat.



Tiny, Built-In Bedroom Since this small studio flat lacked a defined bedroom, airy curtains were wrapped to separate the sleeping quarters in the rest of the space. A readymade bed was painted and built to look like custom cabinetry.



Neutral Sophistication This studio flat could be modest in size but also makes up for this lack with sophisticated city design. Neutral walls and drapes make the space appear much bigger, while silver and black accents increase the crispness of the design. The living area's furniture structure keeps the space independent from the bedroom and research area, giving the little apartment more functional areas. Tip: Lucite furniture is a perfect addition to ultra-small spaces. This java table is barely visible but still serves its own purpose. The piece eases the space of bulky furniture, preventing a crowded look.



Maximum Use This 12-by-17-foot apartment does not leave much room for creating a separate bedroom, kitchen and living space, but the neutral colour scheme and warm accessories supply an open texture with the closeness of a small space. "My biggest challenge was creating a space which didn't feel as a bedroom. I placed the bed next to the kitchen to allow maximum light and views out the windows," HGTV fan moderngeek73 says. Hint: Keep decor and furniture to a minimum if your space is additional small. Use little lighting furnishings and fixtures.



Room for Entertaining This fashionable Philadelphia studio utilizes every inch of room without making the room seem occupied. The neutral walls and bedding maintain the space controlled and balanced. "I tried to separate the space with natural textures, eclectic accessories, shiny metallic items, delicate draperies and unique lighting approaches," HGTV fan greendesigner says. To quickly conceal the bedroom from the kitchen and dining room, he added tall draperies within an easy space divider. Hint: Downsize the furniture expand the distance -- purchase a loveseat rather than a large sectional. If you prefer to entertain, invest in tiny barstools; they take up little space and provide plenty of seating for your guests.



Funky Vibrant HGTV fan Wicket47 updated the narrow living area of the 300-square-foot apartment with a splash of color and amazing wallpaper. Minimal decor and a crisp, white couch allow the black-and-white picture wallpaper to stand out without being overpowering. Deep forest-green draperies are an ideal balance to the couch and add a stunning touch. Tip: If you're going to use a white and black color scheme, mix in a vibrant hue, like yellow or lime green, then to break the monotony.



Eclectic Personality The narrow space inside this studio flat is made functional with stylish storage options, floating shelves and multipurpose furniture.



Industrial Accents High, exposed ceilings mechanically make this 700-square-foot apartment look much bigger. HGTV fan rbaby split the bedroom from the living area and dining room area with a cubicle bookshelf. The look not only provides additional storage but provides the bedroom some privacy from the remainder of the space. Hint: Spice a small studio with a vibrant focal wall in red or orange.



Multifunctional Space The effective design of the space gives it the complete performance of a normal apartment. Offset in the bedroom, the sofa faces the back wall making an intimate seating area of its own. A cubicle shelf unit serves as a very simple room divider between the living area and bedroom. Small, sleek accessories and decor create the room visually attractive while maintaining it from looking cluttered. Tip: Use warm colors, like orange and orange, to make the room seem cozy without feeling dark.