I really have no words for how absolutely breathtaking this property in California by Ferguson Ettinger Architects is. So I’ll leave it to landscape architect Jeffrey Gordon Smith to tell the story of this dream: In the heart of a historic drought, this new home overlooking the clients’ 72-acre vineyard in the Paso Robles wine region called for a water-wise landscape that could further enhance their stunning property. Applying a subdued color palette accentuated with Mediterranean grasses and timeworn olive trees, the new landscape anchored and blended the home into its surrounding environment. Delicate plant textures that flutter in the wind softened the modern hardscape and architecture; creating a striking balance between the built and natural environments. Large drifts of drought tolerant grasses allowed for sweeping views to continue past the property line, to the clients’ vineyards and the rolling hills beyond. The grasses were also selected to mirror the native vegetation as it fluctuates through the seasons, creating a strong sense of connection with the region. Using rugged boulders and gravel in conjunction with clean hardscape pavers, the project brought a fun California twist to the traditional modern aesthetic.

If you would like to participate in the Monday’s pets on furniture series please send photos, your name, location and a brief description to kim[at]desiretoinspire[dot]net, or hashtag your photos on Instagram with #DTIpetsonfurniture. Thanks!

spring-greetings from germany!
– Kristin

And some from me. The cats are loving my new linen duvet cover about as much as I am which results in many cat puddles. And Phoebe on my antique pink velvet chair.

Keeping things simple and somewhat minimalist today with this loft apartment in London. Gorgeous worn wood floors, concrete columns, a dramatic dark panelled bedroom and some homeliness added in with some paintings and lot of plants makes this apartment something I could totally call home. Available as a location space via Shoot Factory.

Everyone has their own view on what they would consider a stylish home. From incorporating modern interior decor to opting for a warm color theme or sticking to vintage styling, there are different ways to make your home stylish. Despite the many options available, it all narrows down to a home with personalized design features that not only offer a great aesthetic appeal but also superior functionality.

If you’re looking for stylish design elements to incorporate into your home, here are five options to give your space a personalized and appealing edge.

Cable Railings
Safety should always be a priority when choosing your home décor elements. Since areas like the balcony, stairwells and even the poolside typically come bundled with the danger of accidental falls, which can be fatal, most people tend to use wood in these areas to prevent such accidents from happening. However, this ends up blocking their view from the statement pieces of their home, such as the pool or the garden that they can see from the balcony.

Cable railings can be used as a more stylish element in your home. They can serve the purpose of preventing accidental falls while allowing you to enjoy your aesthetically appealing indoor or outdoor spaces. The fact that they can fit into both the modern and traditional décor themes also makes them great for home styling. Furthermore, cable railings are versatile in terms of where you can incorporate them in your home, according to Inline Design.

Quartz Tiles
Your choice of home flooring has a significant impact on the overall appeal of your décor choices. In addition to requiring minimum maintenance, quartz tiles tend to come in a variety of textures, colors and patterns from which you can accentuate other home design elements. This tile choice is also excellent for an environment that has kids, as it is quite stain resistant and can withstand extended exposure to foot traffic without getting destroyed, making it an excellent choice as a future-proof design element. To preserve the stylish appeal that they offer, be sure to avoid using oil based soaps, silver polish and paint removers on them.

Motorized Roller Shades and Blinds
Window treatments have a considerable role to play when it comes to promoting privacy as well as regulating the amount of light that gets into the home. In fact, according to Inhabitat, some treatments allow you to control the temperature of your home. If you are searching for a window treatment option that will provide the above perks and bring some sophistication into your home, then motorized shades or roller blinds can be a great option.

Unlike ordinary roller shades and blinds, the motorized version is convenient in that you can pull your window treatment up or down with the press of a single button, instead of having to do it physically. Some even allow the homeowners to save on their energy bills as they have sun sensors. This allows the window treatments to be set to close automatically when the sun is at its peak, which can further help in reducing the damage of your upholstery by the sun rays.

LED Lights
Your choice of lighting solutions doesn’t necessarily have to consume too much energy in order to ensure a stylish home appeal at night. While consuming less power than ordinary bulbs, LED lights produce less heat and are durable as well. The fact that they don’t contain mercury like other conventional lighting solutions makes them safe for the environment.

You can also use them as a lighting solution for rooms that have pieces of art and other items that are sensitive to exposure to UV rays. This is because they produce a low amount of infrared rays and no UV rays. Other than just producing cool light, these bulbs can also produce light in different shades of white which can further add to your home’s appeal.

Spa Bathrooms
Your bathroom is your sanctuary. Well, no bathroom can outdo the level of comfort that a spa has to offer. Luckily, you can have one in your home too, as long as you make the right bathroom design choices. Start by creating ambiance in your bathroom by either using natural light from your window or appealing, modern lighting solutions such as LED lights. Add some texture to the walls of the bathroom by using mosaic tiles. As for the bathtub, choosing one that is quite easy to relax in will make it great for relieving stress after a hectic day.

Conclusion
Choosing the right design elements for your home will not only offer you something to be proud of, but it will also improve your home’s appeal and increase the resale value of your home.

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This post was contributed by a guest writer

Modernizing the traditional can be tricky but I think the folks of architecture and construction firm Design Platform based out of Denver, Colorado really nailed this one (I assume it’s a complete renovation of an older home). Lots of elements I am quite smitten with like the entire exterior, the yellow front door, the exposed brick, the white washed wood floor, the massive sleek kitchen, and each and every bathroom. How cool are those designs in the hex tile?!?! I’m imagining how that would have looked in my hex tiled floor from the front door through the vestibule and foyer and down into the kitchen. *insert gaping mouth here*