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Deep navy lime-wash walls together with Victorian tiles add alluring charm to this en suite bath.

Portland loosened rules for backyard accessory homes, allowing up to two at 800 square feet each. They no longer have to be smaller than the existing home.

The couple added a coat of black paint and cedar siding to give the home a cleaner, more modern look. "The house already had wide and low eaves, providing protection from the sun, and we added new spray-foam insulation, so the black exterior actually does not pose too much of an issue with the desert heat," she says. A new Cor-Ten steel fence blocks the view of the neighbor's roof, but doesn't interfere with the landscape.

One of the largest construction challenges was the plumbing in the showers. "After our bathrooms were finally completed, we found water leakage coming out the base of both the showers," says Elaine. "Nothing seemed to solve the problem. It turned out it was a faulty plumbing job, so we had to open up the showers, fix the plumbing, and redo all the tadelakt." This set their timeline back by months.

The palette and furnishings are inspired by nature and the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi. "We wanted people to feel relaxed right when they walked in, so we kept the interiors noble and focused on texture and subtleties in design," says Elaine. The living room features the Neva sofa by Sixpenny, a 19th-century Naga coffee table from India, and leather side chair from Restoration Hardware.

Another water-saving project in Menlo Park includes a rock bed with succulents.

FormLA Landscaping principal Cassy Aoyagi integrates drought-resistant plants into her Southern California projects.

The outdoor space includes a fire pit.

A sofa by Stephen Kenn Studio joins ceramic tables by artist Ben Medansky in the glass-walled living area. The AIM pendants are by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec for Flos and the Oda floor lamps are from Pulpo. The metal artworks are by Guy.

In the countryside of Anghiari, Poggiodoro combines picturesque views with charming interiors to offer a memorable escape. "Enjoy the unique and wonderful rustic feel of our 16th-century villa, revamped with numerous modern elements to satisfy your comfort,

In the Casino di Terra district, Villa Fonteintanata sits nestled deep in the forest, encompassed by peace and quiet. Featuring a sprawling open layout, the three-bedroom retreat is packed with original charm, including exposed brick ceilings, wide archways, and cement-tile flooring.