The ever-changing, lush wooded surroundings of Minnesota, such as those experienced at this 8,000-square-foot Type Variant House outside of Minneapolis designed by Coen and Partners, are right near the small town of New Richland.

In another section of the yard, Cooper added varying-sized circular cement stepping stones, which lead toward an elevated planter filled with California-native plants.

The concrete wall mimics the slope of the hill outside as a reference to early Maori structures that were dug into the land. The simple kitchen has strandboard cabinetry and an MDF island that conceals a fireplace at one end. The ceramic works on the built-in seat at right are by Raewyn Atkinson and Robyn Lewis.

Because the house is narrow and long (16 by 68 feet), the design team decided to create a huge open-air space to light the interior naturally. Two retractable motor-driven canvas canopies shelter the space during Singapore’s frequent rains.

A dramatic departure from your typical cabin on the lake, this unique retreat adds shades of black to a tiny island awash with local color. A modern brick outdoor fireplace, tall and slim, is flanked by Philippe Starck’s outdoor chairs for Kartell for cozy fireside seating.

The backyard’s emphasis on nature is mirrored in the front of the home, which also underwent extensive landscaping by Considered Design. The owners and Parish wanted to “tone everything down” and turn the home into a backdrop for a natural setting.

The landscaping appears to be based on the mullet principle: business in the front, as seen here (manicured grid lawn, with native vegetation sprouting in careful symmetry), party in the back (sunflowers and wild mountain grass growing in harmonious chaos).

Clad in Western red cedar siding and punctuated with floor-to-ceiling windows, this minimalist two-bedroom home boasts sunrise views over the Sonoma hills.

An Introduction to Landscape Design: Cover the history of landscape architecture and learn how to cultivate your own backyard oasis.

The outdoor shower situated off of the master bedroom is enclosed to offer privacy and features a courtyard garden. Michael Arp of Lanoha Nurseries designed the house's landscaping.

Architect Janna Levitt devised a creative emellishment for a residence in Canada. Photo by: Philip Cheung

Pham’s working cuckoo clock in action.

Modern spaces make up Bishop’s board.

Los Angeles Allied ASID designer Darra Bishop displayed clippings of her favorite pins.

Wojtowicz, based in Denver, framed a succulent to bring the board to life.

Central to the kaleidoscope is a 3-D element made of raised triangles.

For her board, Allied ASID designer Ellen Farber of Narberth, PA, created what she calls a “kaleidoscope of colors.”

A mixture of natural and man-made elements makes up Allied ASID designer Jessica Wojtowicz’s board.

Among Peterson’s inspirations was sky-high orange suede heels.

Natural pebbles join fabric on Broeder’s board.

Brooklyn-based Ji-Ming Lin, who downloaded the Pinterest app and created her board with her smart phone in one hand and her new baby in the other, repeated the images from her pinboard.

Simonton, Texas–based ASID designer Debra Sabrsula’s board.

Universal Design was a central theme to Sabrsula’s board.

From Lin’s pinboard, an image she says represents “a dream state.”

Becky Broeder, Allied ASID, out of Missoula, Montana, plays with wood, corks, and earth tones.

Kelly’s 3-D elements include a shag carpet swatch in glorious purple hues.

Kerrie Kelly, an ASID designer out of Sacramento, rocked the purple for her Pinspiration.

Amy Pham of Amy Grace Designs, Student ASID of Manhattan Beach, brought inspirations ranging from the ocean to a natural wood stump table.

Allied ASID member Tory Peterson, from Corona Del Mar, CA, lined her board in rustic wood strips to help her homage to orange pop.

The master bath contains all functions in the white fiberglass panel that runs the length of the wall. Lazor designed the vanity; the tub is by Duravit.

“It was a major decision to put the kitchen in the center where everything would revolve around it,” says Lazor. “We did this simply by following what patterns we observed—it was just where people gravitated.” The bar stools are by Blu Dot, and the chairs by Charles and Ray Eames.

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

Two landscape design experts, Charlotte Frieze and Judy Kameon will share their favorite outdoor rooms with the Dwell on Design audience, including those featured in their books. Frieze, the former garden editor at House & Garden, is the author of Private Paradise: Contemporary American Gardens. Kameon, the principal at Elysian landscapes, is the author of Gardens Are for Living: Design Inspiration for Outdoor Spaces. Photo courtesy of Elysian Landscapes.

Two-year-old Annika and five-year-old Soren make music on the "nap swing," a popular hangout spot for kids and adults alike.

Ryan Anderson of RAD Furniture designed the stools as well as the table and benches on the pool deck.