The residents, who previously lived in Japan, asked that the bathroom be modeled after a Japanese-style bathhouse. Wood-effect porcelain tiles from Ariostea line the shower and tub area.

Created for Y’a Pas Le Feu Au Lac by FX Balléry, the PIK Vase is inspired by stacks of hay. Each vase is comprised of a cluster of three colorful glass cylinders that finish in beech wood cone bases. The varied heights of the cylinders creates an organic sensibility, as they replicate the variance of stack sizes found in fields. The cone bases end in small, austere points, which create the illusion that the PIK is floating slightly above the surface.

The woven wire steel mesh used to cloak Xeros’s east façade stands in stark contrast to Phoenix’s blue sky and the palo brea planted along the street.

Sticotti and Hernaez relax in their living room, where custom-built windows and sliding doors enhance the indoor-outdoor effect.

In lieu of a checkerboard effect, Kovel kept his carpet squares all vibrantly verdant. With the bamboo cabinets and countertops the whole space has a pastoral feel. “I wanted it to be like the Bradys’ backyard,” he says.

Briggs and Knowles based their design of the oculus on traditional Victorian skylights but tweaked it to fit a more modern sensibility and outfitted it with fluorescent tubing to recreate the effect in the evening.

Surrounded by glass panels, the deck has an infinity-edge effect.

The 510 Cabin is one of Leggitt's designs, executed with the help of student apprentices.

A mosaic tile wall softens the laboratory-like effect of the glossy kitchen cabinets.

This unique built-in dining table is recessed into the floor, giving the room and table a seamless effect.

Lake Effect Mosaic Tile Design www.susanjablon.com/lak...

To bolster the brightening effect of the Solatube Daylighting System, Mooney and Sparano painted their walls and ceilings white.

A mirror near the mailboxes in the lobby gives the illusion of more space. A team from Lighting Planners Associates, based in Japan, added the uplights behind the bench for effect. The architectural firm left the ceilings raw concrete to make the space "more enigmatic," says Schultz.

The plan is simple: Two rectangles are connected by a bridge that traverses a desert wash. The effect of the light shining into the glass-walled living room is what first attracted Sette and Shikany to the house.

Another take on the Peacock card does away with the outer dotted ring entirely for a pleasingly minimalist effect.

"The effect of the plantings on the terrace is enormous,” reflects the couple. “Not only do the branches and formations give a sense of the four seasons, but the way it looks from the living room contributes to a sense of calmness. It gives the illusion that we are viewing art."

The cover of Murakami Versailles.

Located on a steep site with limited suitable building ground, the firm decided to cantilever the home over the hillside, which has the effect of helping the structure blend in with the landscape.

It goes without saying that one of the greatest masters of color was famed Mexican architect Luis Barragán, who used pink to dazzling effect in several projects, including Cuadra San Cristóbal.

In the renovation of their 1920s bungalow in Los Angeles, homeowners chose Mark Motonaga and Guy Clouse opted for Dawn Pink paint by Benjamin Moore in the main bedroom—even painting the ceiling for an enveloping effect.

Arbel’s “14” sconces spot the wall to ethereal effect in the master bedroom. “I wanted this place to be habitable. One of my greatest criticisms of modern architecture is that it often forgets to make things cozy.”

Pendant by Matthew Fairbank Design.

Clock by Ding3000 for Discipline.

The structure of the coop was inspired by the new bus shelters and newsstands in New York City.

“We played with the ceiling forms to create spaces within the overall space, while soft natural light is introduced into the depths of the home with skylights,” says Lisa Breeze. The dining room of Coburg House takes advantage of this to stunning effect.

Here's another instance of the Skin series by Nacho Carbonell. The spindly legs and handmade lines make for a rather insect effect.

The stalls provide the same demarcated, cozy space for concentration as a cubicle, but the effect is warm and rich rather than garish and chintzy.

Although the furniture is still evident, the absence of color renders this blanched corner with a phantom-like, three-dimensional surrealist effect.

William Lamson's Solarium.

Flea markets and thrift stores were gold mines for finding the plates Congdon used—to great effect—to adorn the kitchen wall.

Gardens surround the stone facade for a softening effect.

One-way mirrored glass wraps around a portion of the home. "We wanted it to reflect like glass so that when you sit on the terrace, you see trees or the view in all directions—including when you look towards the house," says Larsen. The mirror effect is slightly distorted, and no birds have flown into the glass.

A similar window design has the same effect in the bathroom. The faucet and sink are by Kohler.

At night, the large window in the dining area creates a lantern-like effect for the cabin.