The 'Sparks' group design exhibition curated by Adriana Andreeva Dimitrova highlighted regional makers who employ novel approaches to natural materials, sustainable methods, and the re-interpretation of traditional forms. Don't DIY's Plywood Table demonstrated the modern functionality of hand-crafted dining furniture that was striking in its simplicity. Photo courtesy of Don't DIY.

On the outskirts of Austin, Texas, author Chris Brown and his dog Katsu head to the river; the path was once a dumping ground on top of a long-defunct underground oil pipeline. The green roof was conceptualized by John Hart Asher of the Ecosystem Design Group at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin.

In Seattle's rapidly developing South Lake Union neighborhood, the Art Stable is a classic example of urban infill. Built on the site of a former horse stable, the seven-story mixed-use building carries its history into the future with highly adaptable live/work units.

An Introduction to Modern Textiles: Kit out your furniture in luxurious silk or no-frills leather,; textiles can add just as much dimension to room as art, and can be equally collectible.

A trio of resin skulls works as manly wall art above a burly end table from Urban Hardwoods and on a wall painted with ICI Paint’s Noble Grey.

Master Bedroom, opens to screened pool deck, includes walk in safe room/closet.

With more than 400 objects, the Indianapolis Museum of Art's contemporary design collection is among the largest of its kind in North America. Photo by Eric Lubrick.

The master bedroom features a low-level picture window that opens out to the green space behind the house.

The 9,000-square-foot main gallery showcases contemporary design objects since 1980. Photo by Eric Lubrick.

Chair One by Konstantin Grcic. Photo by Eric Lubrick.

Extra Big Shadow lamp by Marcel Wanders. Photo by Eric Lubrick.

The gallery focuses on post-1980 design, a period of growth and creativity. Photo by Eric Lubrick.

The museum's Department of Design Arts was founded in 2007 and focuses on representing a wide range of media, including furniture, glass, ceramics, metal work and product design from the United States, Europe, and Asia. Photo by Eric Lubrick.

Photo by Eric Lubrick.

Phillips designed Judith a stark white, glass-fronted art studio.

Get a dose of art and the great outdoors by visiting the Audain Art Museum. The principals will confirm that this trip is worth driving outside of Vancouver to visit the museum in Whistler. Designed by Patkau Architects, the museum was placed behind the background of Canada’s expansive wilderness.

Yang Yeo and his girlfriend Ching Ian relax on the back stoop of their renovated and radically updated Singapore shophouse—an archetypal building type in this busy port city. “Shophouses brought back memories of our childhood,” says Yeo.

Jef Raskin, designer of Bloxes and inventor of the Macintosh computer, circa 1970. “Architecture and the arts in 1970s L.A. contributed to the sense that anythingis possible here—that rules can be broken.” —Kimberli Meyer, director, Mak Center Photo by: David Wing

Classic butterfly chairs from Universal Patio Furniture are stationed by the pool. The mural is by street artist Morley, a close friend.

Designed by Thomas Phifer and Partners, the museum was recently awarded the AIANY Design Award for the wing. Curved white walls guide the visitor through free-standing displays while a skylight system fills the space with natural light.

Master Bath with shower room; dual, custom, polished concrete sinks with faucet designed for hair washing; Niagara Stealth toilets

Living Moss wall in powder room created by Minarc.

Christine (at left), and Amanda (at right) chat with David’s sister Aroha Yates-Smith (center) in the kitchen.

The firm also designed a slatted screen next to the staircase.

Detail for Kitchen showing granite backsplash

Kitchen with polished concrete floors and counters, built in ovens, granite backsplash, IKEA cabinetry

Guest Bedroom that opens to jack and jill bath and Shaded East and South Facing Light

Jack and Jill Bath with step in shower room, polished concrete floors, natural light

site design group, ltd. The award-winning landscape firm behind sites such as Mary Bartelme Park took over the penthouse of the historic Crane Company Building, designed by Holabird & Roche in 1912, and turned it into a playful, open workspace.

Mass Design Group employed open-air passages and clerestory windows to promote the circulation of fresh air and elimination of airborne contamination. Photo provided by MASS Design Group.

Scaife galleries at Carnegie Museum of Art "In one of this country’s great art museums, the Scaife galleries were an addition in 1979 designed by Edward Larrabee Barnes," Moss says. "The front entry plaza includes a classic Richard Serra steel sculpture." Photo by Tom Little.

“There was too much visual pollution disturbing the simplicity. The goal was to allow the existing buildings to work within a totally new program, each still distinguishable by its own destiny.” —Architect Bart Len

Nonna (Portland, Oregon) Opting for muted tones and dark-wood furnishings, Portland-based firm Case Study Group designed a casual wine bar with a tavern-like aesthetic. A horseshoe-shaped bar wraps around Nonna's interior. In back, a petite patio offers additional seating during summer.

Notable acquisitions include pieces by the Campana Brothers, Karen LaMonte, and Geoffrey Mann. The pieces will be included in the museum’s permanent collection that features artist and designers such as Fred Wilson, Liza Lou, Kiki Smith, and Danny Lane.

For the Product Design Novice: These five classics will beef up your understanding of design considerably; learn the process behind global design, ordinary objects, and the work of the greats.