Mint green-painted ironwork and tiles connect the indoors to the outside more fluidly.

The Max-A studio is also built with a pine frame, though it has pine panelling on the ceiling, while the main house ceiling is painted a warm white.

The Helios Fire Bowl Set from Skagerak is a portable outdoor fireplace that is ideal for a back patio. It can be used as a fire pit, or with the Helios Steel Grille and some charcoal to create an outdoor grill for hotdogs, vegetables, or shish kebabs.

Wood decking extends out to the yard.

Amending Meeuwissen’s early request for an open bathroom space, the architects devised a more private chamber with an overhead skylight and walls in stone tile from Intercodam Tegels.

After - living room (Rubio monocoat floors, Chantilly lace walls, used fireplace)

Soggy breakfast cereal is the worst. That’s not hyperbole; soggy cereal is literally the worst. To combat the despair of having to eat your bowl of Cap’n Crunch like a soldier late for drill practice, innovative minds have come up with the Obol. It’s basically two bowls in one. One side hold the milk, while the other holds the dry cereal. Just scoop up some cereal, dip it in the milk, and enjoy every bite as though it were your first.

99 by Von Tundra and Lydia Cambron $13,000 Oregon-based Von Tundra’s unit combines three different storage options—a rack, drawers, and boxes—into a multipurpose dresser.

Pros: Also known as composite quartz, engineered quartz comes in a wide range of colors and textures with the general durability of real stone slabs, but with the ease of manufacturing and installation of a man-made product. As a result, engineered quartz isn’t as expensive as other natural stone countertops. Cons: On the other hand, customers can expect to see these qualities reflected in the price of engineered quartz, which can be on the higher end. Quartz also doesn’t handle extreme heat as well as granite does.

Though the exteriors of the Sydney Opera House are stunning enough on their own, the lobbies inside the performance halls are, to me, the most magnificent spaces. (Interestingly enough, the interiors are not by Utzon but by architect Peter Hall, with Lionel Todd and David Littlemore as well as the New South Wales government architect Ted Farmer, since Utzon was forced off the project in 1965.)

Here, the classic view of the Sydney Opera House. One of the most amazing things about the structure is that the technologies needed to build and support the sails were not yet discovered when Utzon's plan was approved. (In fact, it wasn't until seven years after his design was selected that Utzon presented his "key to the shells" solution that would let them be built at all.)

The Armadillo is parked on a 1,000-square-foot lot that gives the couple ample outdoor space.

Big Walnut Bowl Handmade in Canada and finished with a natural oil/beeswax mixture, this serving bowl is a handsome addition to any tablescape.

Vitamin Container Bowl by Ole Jensen for MuutoA bowl with a philosophy: “With a bit of good will, the bowl helps us take better care of our fruit and vegetables, and ourselves,” says designer Ole Jensen. The three spaces are also meant to impose order on your unruly countertop produce. $114

A closer look at a finished Balloon Bowl.

The Rose Bowl A national historic landmark, the Rose Bowl in Pasadena has played host to America’s first–and most famous–postseason college football game for every year but one since 1923. The stadium features more than 100 different varieties of rose bushes situated on its grounds and 77 rows of seats open to the Southern California sunshine. Photo by: Peter Bennett

The angular yet smooth Offset bowl is Fehlō's premier centerpiece.

Earthenware Pinstripe bowl from the U.K. ($28).

The 'compote' bowl shape.

Another part of the park offers vistas of the harbor and the Sydney Opera House, whose multicolor, gloss and matte tiles give it what architect Jørn Utzon hoped would be an iridescent quality. (Watch our slideshow about the surprises of the Sydney Opera House.)

Jørn Utzon's Sydney Opera House.

This outdoor chair from designer Damian Velasquez is both striking and strikingly comfortable—you might not believe you're sitting on metal. The mesh design is sturdy, but has just enough give to conform to your body. The heat-dispersing, wind-resistant powder-coated stainless steel construction makes it a smart addition to your yard.

O Table by Half 13 $2,800 This curvy powder-coated stainless steel outdoor table, fabricated by Damian Velasquez in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is available in nine vibrant colors.

Wooden decks can be added to heighten the indoor-outdoor living experience.

Landscape architect Kevin Campion went to great lengths to protect the poplar trees during construction. Delta Millworks charred the cedar gable fronts following the shou sugi ban technique.

A part of Kaj Franck’s versatile Teema Collection, this large serving bowl is perfect for serving a fresh summer salad at a barbecue or displaying fruit on a countertop. Thebowl is available in a variety of colors and sizes.

A Rafa Kids swing hangs below the loft bed near the large desk designed for playing with Legos.

Shumaker Design + Build Associates honed in on natural light, rich tones, and earthy materials to update this Chicago kitchen. The renovated kitchen now boasts a ten-foot-long banquette paired with a West Elm table, offering seating for everything from quick breakfasts to grand dinners.

Light pine finishes make the interiors feel airy and spacious.