This stunning Houston home on Buffalo Bayou was designed by Jan Showers for her daughter. A sophisticated mix of pretty colours, shiny glass, graphic patterns and pale walls. I am smitten with all the yellow in the dining room. (Photos: Eric Piasecki + Tria Giovan)

This home in Westchester, NY is all about lines and curves, especially curves. Every piece of furniture is sculptural and are themselves pieces of art. Contemporary elegance designed by Melanie Morris. (Photos: Marco Ricca)

This modern renovation in Montréal by la Shed is a total winner winner chicken dinner in my book, partticularly because of the exceptional take on indoor/outdoor living.

In response to the redevelopment and expansion project of this lower unit of a duplex in Rosemont, the architects created a dwelling in continuity with the backyard where the spaces are organized in different levels in constant relationship with each other and with the outdoor gardens. In order to offer a warm character to the living rooms located on the ground floor and in the basement, the kitchen has been placed on the courtyard side, half-level between the two floors, playing the role of a link between the different levels. This new layout, a contemporary version of a split-level, allows the kitchen to be located at ground level and provide a direct link with the terrace. The fluidity between the levels is ensured thanks to a double height opening, offering a real decompartmentalization of the space. To materialize this link, wall furniture covering the three levels has been designed and becomes in turn sideboard, storage cabinets and TV cabinet. The staircase also contributes to openness and spatial harmony. One of the owners being a landscape architect, the landscaping took on particular importance in the project. With his collaboration, several distinct zones were created. Thus, the gardens seem to extend inwards through the rear windows, which open generously towards them, without sacrificing the privacy of its occupants.

Loving the colourful traditional+contemporary feels of this home designed by Newton, Massachusetts based Liz Caan. Love Lane was a true labor of love for Liz and her team. The clients were moving from the city and this charming Tudor would become the home that their three small children would grow up in. Liz enlisted an architect and contractor to help correct some of the home’s misgivings that had happened over the years from previous owners. In an 18 month span, Liz and her team gave this home new life by renovating the bathrooms, updating the kitchen, moving a laundry room and reconfiguring a portion of the second floor and the master suite, and finally, decorating and furnishing the entire home. We set out to create a home that was colorful and inspiring, setting the stage for many years of happy memories for this young family of five.

Today’s château is located in Caussade (a commune in the district of Montauban, located in the Tarn-et-Garonne department in the Occitanie region in the south of France). A mouthful that makes it sound fancy. And a château needs a fancy location. This 14th century, 5 bedroom, 5 bathroom home on 4.7 acres of land is a stunner with rustic, casual vibes and why I chose it over many of the much more posh/elegant châteaus I found in my search. 3 floors in an L-shape are set around a central stone staircase. A lovely pool is a bonus feature. If only I had €995,000. For sale here.