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.

“I love the look of mass plantings,” notes Neely, near Mexican feather grasses--which thrive on the sunny lot.

Wood decking extends out to the yard.

A freestanding tub from the Water Monopoly.

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)

The Oristand fits on any ordinary desk. Its dual levels measure 10-inches-by-25-inches, providing ample space for laptops, keyboards, and other office accessories.

The standing shower is set off by etched-glass panels supported by stainless-steel hardware. There is no threshold; instead, the tile within the shower zone slopes down very slightly to a floor trough with a custom stainless-steel grille. Along the wall, a Corian shelf—“the longest soap dish in the world,” resident Don Evans jokes—runs the length of the space.

The Oristand opens like a cardboard box, meaning no tools or screws are needed for assembly. The two-pound collapsible work station measures one-inch-wide when folded, which makes it convenient for laptop workers who shuttle their business between the office and home.

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.

Developed by Ryan Holmes, CEO and founder of the social media management company Hootesuite, and industrial designers Steve Suchy and Nathan Martell, Oristand is an ergonomically correct standing desk with a price tag that triggers double takes: $25. Its material innovation, recyclable cardboard, makes it up to 10 times more affordable than other base models.

The industrial-grade cardboard is strong enough to support up to 60 pounds—about 30 times the desk's own weight.

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

The playroom later became Xenia’s office.

An early hand-drawn sketch of what would become the Kabu standing desk.

Standing offices may be a passing trend, but if you're interested in seeing what all the hype is about, we can think of no better desk than the UpWrite. It's convertible height and dry erase surfaces make it particularly flexible option.

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.

Kansas native Jamil Malone appreciates the subtle details in his quaint loft, including the exposed brick and hardwood floors. Photo by: Jake Stangel

Tom MacDonald poses with the full-scale prototype of the Kabu, which he designed with his fellow students Alex Chin and Shai Gerner.

Alberto Alessi of Alessi, far left, and Jordan Goldstein of Gensler, fourth from right, with students and Alessi employees at the company's factory in Italy last month.

Some of the materials that were used to build the model.

The Kabu in model form.

A computerized rendering of Kabu, a standing desk prototype designed by three University of Pennsylvania design students with input from a panel of Alessi employees.

Setsumasa and Mami Kobayashi are ready for adventure.

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 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.

Having found a 100-acre farm in Ontario featuring rolling corn fields, the residents asked architect Cindy Rendely to design a place that was "comfortable and modern and appropriate for the country." Though technically all one space, the living room, dining room, and kitchen are separated by the double-sided fireplace.