Designer Jonas Damon strikes again, this time turning his eye to another oft-stashed-in-the-back-of-the-desk object: the Scotch tape dispenser. Recalling a grinning whale, Moby is bound to brighten any desktop.

Just as the barn was extended and cantilevered over the sloped site, so too was the deck off the kitchen, which juts out toward the oak grove. “There are 125 coast live oaks on the property,” says Walker. “They’re beautiful trees, so why not exploit that?” See more ways to use oak in your home.

The Tinbeerwah house and studio keep a low profile among the site’s eucalyptus trees.

A custom-fabricated sideboard of birch, in a coffee-colored stain, finds its niche among the gathering of windows.

Among the shop’s best-sellers are these woven wool bags.

Unique among tiny homes, ESCAPE's Classic wraps the entryway in a screened-in and roof porch. It could also be fully enclosed to add an extra room to the home.

A Joshua Tree-lined driveway leads to the remote home, nestled among historic boulders.

The owners of this home decided to limit their color palate to wood tones, black, and gray. The LC4 fits right in.

The Ojalá Awareness Club, designed by Jaque, is among the hippest restaurants in the city.

Hexagonal and pentagonal panels come together to form this cabin’s oblong envelope. The unique architectural skin mimics the rock formations that surround it.

Object #1. "Among prototypes and sketches we also developed some half–time forms; early seeds that influenced later objects. These not yet functionally defined forms acted as catalysts throughout the process."

An epic battle between the jungle animals at Rama's command and Ravana's demon army.

Nestled among trees and apple orchards, this warm and inviting family home makes the most of its peaceful wooded plot.

Areaware wooden tape dispenser designed by Jonas Damon, $35. "How much better looking can a tape dispenser get than this? It’s a wooden masterpiece. Staples should get in on this!"

Having produced an array of lab ware, in 1955 Kartell was among the first companies to introduce plastic products to the home environment. The KS 1067 dustpan by Gino Colombini was among their first.

Kitchen and furnishings are made of grey wood fiberboard. Over the entire kitchen counter there is an oblong window section that emits light through a roof-mounted kitchen shelf in steel and glass. In the background a glimpse of the cubbyhole/reading corner.

Among Sofield's work is this private residence in Colorado, completed in 2007. Photo by Don Freeman.

"Overall, the lot was flat and grassy with a few beautiful trees," Lum says. "We nestled the house among the heritage redwood tree and the other mature oaks on the property."

The glassy pavilion containing kitchen, dining, and living areas is elevated three feet off the ground on posts so it appears to hover among the dunes.

Taliesin West, built in Scottsdale, Arizona, in 1937, has been characterized by the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation as “among the most personal of the architect’s creations.”

Among the first Passive Houses in France, this bamboo-clad farmhouse by the Parisian firm Karawitz Architecture only uses a tenth of the energy a conventionally constructed home does. Photo by Nicholas Calcott.

The living room is furnished with pieces by some of the greatest names in vintage design, such as Hans Wegner, Eero Saarinen and Charlotte Perriand, and also more recent pieces from the 1900s by Philippe Starck, among others.

Located among lush, rolling hills in Valles Pasiegos, Spain, Villa Slow is a minimalist holiday home designed by Laura Álvarez Architecture. The property was once a stone ruin, and now it generates more energy than it uses.

Six-year-old twins Nicolas and Constanza use Pentimento as their “little battleground,” says Pasternak. “They have some options here that they will not find anywhere else.” Among those options are a climbing wall offering easy access to the roof.

The home’s high-efficiency windows are oriented to maximize natural light. At night, the floating, wood-burning fireplace creates a cozy gathering space among lounge chairs and faux-fur throws. Vintage rugs on the concrete floor add an additional layer of warmth and texture.

A peek at the stunning Pei-designed spiral staircase, capped with an oblong skylight.

Casa Volta, located in Puerto Escondido, Mexico, sits among a lush landscape mere steps away from the Pacific Ocean. The almost 1,300-square-foot plan is made of six rectangular areas—alternating between open terraces and the three covered structures.

The cover of Ramayana: Divine Loophole shows Prince Rama squaring off against the demon king Ravana.

Puig has designed, among other things, Restaurante Cala, which looks out onto the sea.

Brammy and Kyprianou hung Koura pendant lights by New Zealand designer David Trubridge above the dining area. Their organic forms and diamond-shaped shadows create intimacy in the vast space. Among Bilardo’s contributions were the black tulipwood cabinetry and ceiling and the cantilevered concrete countertop that appears to go through the glass wall.

The intensely postmodern 4814 lounge chair with two wheels was among Anna Castelli Ferrieri's last designs for the brand.

A picture window and wooden windowsill are among the considerate touches in the galley kitchen.

A living roof is among the project's many green features.

A General Electric stereo cabinet and a 1950s chair are among the vintage pieces in the living room.

A cheerful striped blanket is among the custom Shinola features in guestrooms.

The home gracefully sits among the surrounding canopy of trees.