Mid Mod

Landscape designer Vickie Cardaro used native grasses and plantings near the swimming pool (opposite). Cushions upholstered in Sunbrella fabric rest atop a Trex deck. The western red cedar ceiling extends through the deep eaves and covered seating area.

In the gravel-lined entry court shaded by a Japanese maple tree, furniture from Beall and Bell—an antique shop in Greenport, New York—mixes with Pendant Globes by Primelite Manufacturing. Bobo pillows by Adler outfit the banquette, and cedar clads the interior of the seating area.

The site-sensitive exterior belies an interior festooned with a kaleidoscopic mix of colors and an array of tactile materials. The Peter rug, Malibu sofa, and ceramics are Adler’s own designs. The tables, pendant lights, and rocker are vintage. Adler and Doonan used scaffolding from the house’s construction to build the bookshelf.

The three-by-12-inch porcelain pieces are inspired by the industrial wood floors of the 1970s, but are of the moment thanks to their subtle grain pattern and versatile applications.

This Gus Modern sectional sets the stage for this small, yet cozy and inviting living room. The two Danish-style vintage chairs were re-upholstered for a touch of glamour.

The Miller House and Garden features a custom-made sofa in the open-plan living area designed by Saarinen with textiles by Girard. The home was widely published and is in part credited for the popularity of conversation pits in the 1950s and 1960s.

San Francisco’s modernists were faced with the issue of building within a firmly established stylistic tradition—think bay windows and gingerbread. Henry Hill’s 1947 renovation of a 1908 Victorian tucked away on an alley in historic Russian Hill provides a remarkable response to the dilemma.

The playroom, lit by skylights, is now a reading and television space for North, whose children are now adults.

Burks, whose work on "Man Made" has taken him to developing countries and design capitals, discussed his devotion to artisan craftsmanship. With The Traveler chairs, he says, "There's a legibility, a sense that these have been made by someone." And right now, that process—the work and effort that go into the making of his designs—excites Burks more than anything else. Stephen Burks Man Made collection

Eames Demetrios, head of the Eames office, joins Dwell on Design for a presentation on authenticity in the design world, addressing questions such as why consumers should buy original design, every time. Vitra Miniature Collection - Eames Lounge + Ottoman

879 N Monte Vista, Palm Springs

Illuminated by track lighting, a teak wall unit by Poul Cadovius showcases pottery by Eva Zeisel and Paul McCobb, among others. The desk seat is a T chair by William Katavolos, Ross Littell, and Douglas Kelley; the Womb chair is by Eero Saarinen for Knoll.

Two black CH25 chairs by Hans Wegner mirror the baby grand piano behind them.

An architectural designer and an artist harnessed the collective power of their design firm to remake a dilapidated mid-century gem into a hillside perch for their family.

This midcentury gem lays in Crestwood Hills, in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, an endangered enclave of midcentury post-and-beam houses designed by A. Quincy Jones and Whitney R. Smith. Elise Loehnen and Rob Fissmer bought their house, which dates to 1950, in 2012, furnishing the living room with a Jasper sofa by Room & Board, Laccio tables by Marcel Breuer, and a wool sisal rug from Madison Flooring and Design.

Lambert pours wine in the kitchen, which is defined by a low concrete-block wall and serves as the home’s central core. The seating-area chairs are from Herman Miller.

A tub zone lined in redwood connects to the master bedroom, which is furnished with a vintage Sergio Rodrigues lounge chair and Voyage Immobile seats from Roche Bobois.