A new look for ’20s cottage
Herringbone-patterned slate tile floors in the entry and a powder room dressed in designer wallpaper are among new ideas introduced by Mark Langos Design. Gently curved ceilings in the living room are original, while the custom kitchen adds a touch of timber — a reclaimed wood island and exposed ceiling beams — that injects warmth into the space.

Fashionable digs in the desert
There are wall fireplaces in the living and family rooms as well as the master suite. Additional living space for guests lies in a separate wing. Pocketing walls of glass open to a massive covered patio with bar seating, an al fresco dining area and a fireplace.

Eco-friendly and elegant under same roof
Eco-sensitive designers and builders have long used salvaged lumber or recycled fixtures. Steve Pallrand, founder and principal designer of L.A. firm Home Front Build, is pushing even further in his quest for zero net energy, drawing inspiration from smart designs of yesteryear, and our microscopic neighbors.

A pop-up spot for getting away from it all
We’re going on a road trip up to Vancouver this summer and doing abunch of camping there. We’ll be going up the interior of California into Oregon and Washington, then we’ll cut over to Vancouver Island. This will be the longest journey so far in this tent.