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The foyer's Douglas fir-clad ceiling extends from the glass-walled foyer outward to form a covered entry.

The Patton New Century House treads lightly on the land while providing wide-open living spaces.

No whiteware here. In this moody apartment in Berlin, multi-toned charcoal gray subway tiles make up the backsplash, which contrasts with the pop of rosy color on the kitchen cabinets.

Marble counters, custom white oak cabinetry, and terrazzo tile flooring from Ann Sacks brighten up the kitchen. "Their light tones were the right balance of Southern California modernism with the warmer, highly crafted wood carpentry that the Puget Sound region is known for," says Wittman.

"Around the time we were thinking of moving back [to San Francisco], I took a trip to Marfa, Texas, and fell in love with the agelessness of Donald Judd’s work," says Amy. "I liked the idea of having a classic American reference to the space, since we are influenced as much from America as we are by Asian culture."

The master bedroom is wrapped in walls of glass, including glass sliding doors that lead out to a wraparound terrace that has enough room for patio furniture.

The room features a full bath with a special display for houseplants with its own set of glass doors to keep them dry while the shower is in use.

Just off the kitchen is a room that could be used as a home office or a media room.

The kitchen features handcrafted oak cabinetry and two skylights overhead.

Hawkins created the built-in anigre bed and side tables in the master bedroom. Chenault designed the bedding; the sconces are from Artemide.

The kitchen countertops are soapstone and the faucet is by Axor.

The master bath features round penny tiles and concrete tile floors.

SHED added oversized sliding glass doors which allow for indoor/outdoor living during the warmer months, while new wood cabinetry establishes a clean, minimalist aesthetic, and an oversized, marble-topped island with a table extension provides room to cook, eat, and entertain. Oversized sliding doors open to the expansive deck, while skylights fill the space with natural light—a necessity with Seattle's gray winter skies.

A chic dressing room is also included with the master suite.

Off the bedroom is a bright and airy master bath.

A simple floor plan emphasizes the rugged materiality of this elongated, cabin-style home in Valle de Bravo.

Once you figure out the "lead element" in your kitchen's design, Hodges says it's easier to choose a backsplash. For instance, if you want the cabinetry to stand out, then choose a backsplash that will highlight it.