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Contained within this gabled-roof section are the bedrooms and bathrooms, which look out to stunning views of the mountains.

A clean and simple bathroom add to the modern feel of the space.

A yellow epoxy floor matches the sconce in the tiny bathroom that sits under the staircase.

A whimsical hand-painted mural by local painter Rob Moss Wilson livens up the bathroom adjoining the outdoor tub.

Pool

The deck and fire pit create a cozy space for everyday living and effortless entertaining.

In a Manhattan Beach home, homeowner Matt Jacobson and architect Michael Lee designed the long steel-and-Ipe bench surrounding a square, concrete outdoor fire pit, which suspends from the low concrete wall in their outdoor space. Dukes relaxes on a Willy Guhl Loop chair with her German Shepherd, Major.

A limestone terrace beckons off the main living areas. The white outdoor chairs are from IKEA.

A tall tree perfectly aligns with the lap pool. The pool furniture is from Modernica's case study line.

Metals broker S. J. Sherbanuk (left) and designer James Campbell (right) created a new home in Collingwood, Ontario, with old scrap. "Repurpose, refurbish, recycle" was the guiding principle for the project. The modern, metal fireplace becomes a sculptural feature of an outdoor deck.

The pool house has been designed by Taalman Architecture.

Architectural designer Sebastian Mariscal and project manager Jeff Svitak created a house in Venice, California, for Michael and Tamami Sylvester. Known as Dwell Home Venice for its role as an exemplification of modern architecture, the house is an homage to indoor-outdoor living. Photo by Coral von Zumwalt.

Requirements for licensed contractors depend on the scope of work and the location of the project.

Not only does the backyard have colorful seating and a fire pit, but there is even an outdoor shower hidden by a wood slat fence.

After raising the rear patio to the level of the kitchen, the team reused the original redwood decking and supplemented it with recycled pieces from other projects. Recessed planters punctuate a garden wall. Scott and Regina warm themselves by a Solus fire pit on chilly evenings.

A swing chair on the deck.

According to Farnham: “We selected outdoor furnishings that had elemental geometry and a sculptural quality. We worked with some of my favorite furniture fabricators to customize pieces for this special site: Croft House, James Perse, DWR, and Sutherland.”