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“The owners were especially disciplined in maintaining calmness in all material and product choices,

"The family room faces the backyard, which has smaller trees, creating a cozy and zen-like atmosphere,

On a garden plot they lease just 20 minutes from their apartment in Warsaw, Poland, Magda Grabowska-Wacławek and Grzegorz Wacławek built a tiny house in a striking red-blue colorway.

After: The terrace was deep cleaned and received a new terrazzo railing, as well as new tropical plantings.

The renovation entailed completely rebuilding the interior and opening up the segmented rooms. In the living space, a low-slung contemporary sofa offers a comfortable place to land without stealing focus from the restored antiques. The circular mustard rug reflects the tone of the hardwood floors and pulls the room together.

After: The island acts as a transition from the dining area to the kitchen. "When we receive our friends, we usually gather around the island,

After: The delicate round gold pendants, originals that were restored, balance the heft and clean lines of the island.

After: The original kitchen was closed off from the other rooms, but the renovation created a more fluid space, with a pocket door that can separate it if needed.

Floor plan of Kleindokkaai - Hoekpand by MOEA Architectural Design Studio

Upon his first visit to Tasmania, an island south of the Australian mainland, resident David Burns was immediately smitten with its varied, pristine landscape. Working with architecture firm Misho+Associates, he built a self-sustaining, 818-square-foot retreat that would allow him to completely unplug from urban life.

The contractor rebuilt the coved ceiling with plywood, and restored the original windows, wainscot, and chalk ledge atop the wainscot in the main room. The white table is by Joel Edmondson.

The 46-foot-long pool faces east for prime sunrise views.

Suspended bridges lead to a dreamy, glass-walled tree house with a butterfly tin roof. It’s one of three structures that make up the wellness-oriented compound Snow, which is rented out for retreats, special occasions, and workshops (“but not for bachelorette parties,” notes Bob).

The living area features a Strato CB2 sectional that Melody owned before the couple moved in together. In the kitchen, pendants made by the pair hang over a concrete-topped island.

The simplified post-and-beam construction reflects Bob’s penchant for economy. “The house is designed on a sixteen-foot grid, which reduces a lot of waste of materials in random lengths and sizes,” he says. “I was able to build it entirely out of dimensional lumber rather than engineered lumber.” The wood is painted a custom charcoal color from Sherwin-Williams.

The Sky Room is a place for homework, for play, and for overlooking the landscape.