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"The semi-public front porch projects out from the front of the house to grab views of the 'camel head' part of the mountain,

Moveable walls of glass create a seamless blend of indoor-outdoor living.

The simple wood deck features innovative cutouts that allow full-grown Yucca trees to peek through.

Sphinx, the family Carolina dog, scouts the perimeter of the Concrete Collaborative pavers in the backyard. The pavers were installed on a slight angle to channel water to the surrounding gravel, lawn, and planting beds. This substantially lowers the landscape's water demand. Perforated PVC pipes and a pump move excess rainfall (which would otherwise go to storm drains) into an underground basin where it can later drain off. Redwood fencing reflects the material palette of the interior and creates visual continuity around the backyard.

Perched in Sicily's Monte Cofano Nature Reserve, this one-bedroom home—which was once an agricultural storehouse—offers views of an unspoiled natural landscape, from the mountains to the sea. Original details, such as exposed beams and stone walls line the interiors, while a large, partially shaded patio extends the charm outside.

This 2,508-square-foot Tuscan farmhouse merges a 16th-century structure with a new addition that includes an open-plan living area and a large terrace. Grotto-brick floors, plaster walls, and chestnut beams adorn the interiors of the three-bedroom Welcome Beyond rental property.

“Without opening an umbrella, we can relax using the exterior long wood bench that’s shaded by the roof’s overhang,” Adam says.

Top 9 Gardens of 2020: The verdant spaces nominated for the Dwell Design Awards help enliven their biophilic homes.