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A Series 600 sliding glass door from Western Window Systems was installed between the master suite and its outdoor patio, which has expansive views of Minneapolis’ Bde Maka Ska.

The 1930s home in London that architect Grant Straghan remodeled for himself and his family is enlivened by blue-green cement tile exterior cladding.

This bathroom, tiled in bright blue mosaic to offset the home’s limited materials and color palette, calls for a simple vanity. The sinks, toilets, and tubs are by Villeroy & Boch, while the faucets and towel rails are by Grohe and Avenir, respectively.

Configur8 tiles provide distinctive cladding for the exterior of this modern home.

In the bathroom, Roca wall tile in Rainbow Azul continues the citrus color scheme, and the floor is clad in ceramic plank. The Ikea sinks and faucets also helped the design come in on budget.

In order to bring a Turkish spirit into the space, Autoban created textured blue ceramic tiles inspired by Marmara marble to line the interior. Traditional Iznik tiles, handmade by Turkish craftsmen in Istanbul, are also integrated into the design.

Generous storage is key to an uncluttered look. Drawers for shoes tuck away under the raised mezzanine floor.

Inspired by her visits to Japan, architect Cary Bernstein did not build to the property lines but left open about three-and-a-half feet on each side of the house: “These little side gardens make rooms feel bigger, since they make nature part of your interiors and bring light and air circulation into the house,” she says.

Bernstein reconfigured the entryway to the street level; guests ascend to the main living space. Ironspot clay tile and FSC-certified cedar clads the facade.

Open floor plan: Kitchen, Dining, & Living Room

Master bedroom

Stair Railing Detail

One of the two bathrooms. Ceramic tiles, which have the appearance of micro cement, cover the walls.

Kenard and Jennifer splurged $800 on a deep soaking tub and paired it with terrazzo ceramic tiles.

Inspired by a David Hockney painting, Grant Straghan colors his London home in soothing tones of seafoam and rose.

The light-soaked kitchen and breakfast nook are accented with a blue rug from Anthropologie, pottery from Portugal, and a custom bench seat from Etsy.

The high-ceilinged bathroom receives natural light throughout the day, while porthole-type windows on both sides provide ventilation.

"By keeping the main color block in the showers, we tried to contain the chaos to a small and palatable space within the bathroom," Cooper says. "It's fun when you're in there, but you're not overwhelmed when using the bathroom for other purposes."