
I had to share one more spectacular retreat designed by CO-LAB. This one is a touch less modern and a tad more bohemian and earthy. Tucked into a lush landscape of Areca Palms, Casa Areca was carefully positioned on a narrow lot to preserve existing trees and palms. Designed as a vacation home, Casa Areca, features 4 en-suite bedrooms on the 1st floor – allowing for an open ground floor plan. The kitchen, dining and living room are spatially integrated and open to the exterior through retractable and or pivoting floor to ceiling glass doors. A wrap-around deck frames the pool and private gardens. Built from CMU blocks and reinforced concrete the walls of the house are finished with white polished cement techniques. Light grey polished cement floors complement the walls to create a soft color pallet to better contrast the bespoke furnishings designed by CO-LAB and built with Yucatan artisans. An abundance of windows carefully oriented to capture prevailing breezes, keep the house cool and fresh throughout the year, creating a peaceful atmosphere optimal for unwinding after a beach day. Architecture + Construction + Interiors + Landscaping: CO-LAB (Photos: Cesar Bejar)
















I have been dreaming of moving to Mexico for years, and this home is now going to be what I will be dreaming of living in once I’m there. Architecture + Construction + Interiors + Landscaping: CO-LAB. Located a short distance from Tulum beach and the crystalline cenotes, Casa Aviv sits discretely in the jungle, merging indoor and outdoor into one generous, peaceful space. Composed of two parallel volumes that were shifted from each other to better protect several existing trees on site, the house accommodates 4 en-suite bedrooms, high ceilings, open kitchen dining and living areas, a private pool, and a 360º roof terrace. On the ground floor, the living-dining room, kitchen, and two of the bedrooms open to the garden. The master bedroom features a private patio with direct access to the pool. The double-height living space extends out into the pool and garden through floor to ceiling pivoting glass doors, blending interior and exterior in one integrated space filled with natural light and garden views. On the first floor, two bedrooms frame the lush jungle, connected by a bridge under a skylight. Designed and built by CO-LAB, the house is surfaced with handmade finishes. The warm grey polished cement walls contrast with black terrazzo floors. Charred cedar wood carpentry complements the neutral palette. The furnishings and light features were custom designed to fit the house and were fabricated by local artisans and in CO-LAB’s workshop. (Photos: Cesar Bejar)

















I am smitten with this glorious home – inside and out. Designed as a flexible compound, a new home in the Montecito foothills honors the creative lifestyle of a couple moving full time to the country. A self-contained main house overlooks the rolling property from the top of the site. Adjoining guest space, a pool cottage, an art studio, and working gardens form a set of outbuildings and areas that seem to emerge naturally from the landscape. A palette of local stone and plaster creates a rustic and modern translation of rural houses in Provençe, recalling in particular the vernacular of old world stone barns. High-ceilinged, single-floor wings connect the main living spaces with whitewashed crispness, letting the house feel light and uncrowded. A long, elegant pool anchors the lower section of the lawn in its own sequestered grove of trees, establishing the feeling of being in open countryside. A massive, very old California oak tree that couldn’t be moved sits at the heart of the property on a slight hill, welcoming views from every vantage point and providing a favorite place to dine outside. Designed by William Hefner. (More of his work was recently featured here)














When each room has its own presence and special touches, and really draws you in. This stunning home located in Long Island, NY was designed by Lisa Hershman of Abaca Interiors. It consisted of a complete renovation and extension for a young family moving to the suburbs. The goal was to combine classic architecture with a modern sensibility in furnishings. The result is a really current look that imbues a strong sense of elegance. (Architect: Nathan Laubach, Contractor: Draghi Contracting, Photography and Styling: Stylish Productions)






















Balanced, acquired and intentional. That’s the mantra of Los Angeles-based interior design studio Transition State. Laid back luxury with a distinct California style.











