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The boys’ room includes sweet personal touches, like the pennants that reflect their namesake—Velzy, age 4, was named after Hawaiian surf spot Velzyland, and Bonny, age 1 1/2, was named after Bonny Doon, a surf spot in Santa Cruz. From the bunks, the kids are positioned for optimal reconnaissance of favorite play areas. “The boys can see the skate ramp from their top bunk, so our days usually begin out there since it’s the first thing they see waking up,” says Leah.

The gate leading to Geoff Carroll and Julie Young’s rebuilt terrace house in an inner suburb of Sydney, Australia, holds an array of succulents, signaling what lies within: a greenery-filled home that includes a central courtyard, vertical gardens, aquaponics and rain filter systems, and even a chicken coop. Architect Clinton Cole of CplusC Architectural Workshop led a team of collaborators in revamping the property.

Emma keeps only a small and valued selection of beloved books and items.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, food scraps and yard waste make up 20 percent of what we throw away. Composting organic materials keeps them out of the landfill, which cuts down on greenhouse gases, and enriches the soil. To compost at home, make a pile in your backyard, or introduce an indoor bin for throwaways like apple peels and eggshells.

The primary bedroom is wrapped in plywood from floor to ceiling.

A custom 12-person dining table sits in the kitchen, where new white oak cabinetry and open shelving keep things light and neutral.

The traditional facade of this Craftsman home in San Francisco’s Noe Valley doesn’t give away its industrial-inspired interiors and the ultra-modern, glass rear facade. Originally built in 1906, the Valley Street Project was completely reimagined by architect Ross Levy and architect and interior designer Kevin Hackett for a tech entrepreneur, a community organizer, and their two children.

Allied Maker supplied the trio of sconces above the floating shelves, while the light fixture above the dining table is from Stuff by Andrew Neyer.

The design team retained the old supports, which now frame the kitchen. Jessica picked DeVol cabinets and systems for their traditional-meets-streamlined style.

"A majority of the existing roof was removed to frame the new second floor,

The oak island and cupboards offset the kitchen’s black IKEA cabinetry.

The kitchen is completely open to the main living area and features a custom birch pegboard wall. Eames dining chairs accent the space.

Australian expats Carla and Paul Tucker tasked designer Dan Gayfer with expanding their Melbourne bungalow without adding any square footage. In the kitchen, a soft palette of wood, laminate, and tile created cohesion, impressive considering the clients didn’t see a single finish, color, or material in person prior to their homecoming. The kitchen cabinets were clad in Russian birch plywood, and the countertops were concrete.