Houzz Tours
Get Ideas From the Top My Houzz Tours of 2015
Meet the DIY design-savvy personalities behind your favorite homes this year who know how to rock color and maximize square footage
A fearless use of color, clever repurposed vintage finds and serendipitous storage hacks — these are some of the design details common to the top 25 tours from our My Houzz series viewed by Houzzers in 2015. Kudos to the following creative homeowners, who model what it means to be patient in creating a forever home, especially when projects don’t go as planned. Take a look at these personality-filled home tours this year — maybe they’ll inspire you to kick-start a DIY project in the new year.
2. Classic White Farmhouse-Style Kitchen Restored
Many homeowners renovate in phases, and for Obbie and Connie Atkinson (center and right), it’s been nine years of restoring their late-1800s farmhouse in eastern Oregon. They turned a rickety canning porch into a vintage-style bathroom, and their most recent project was tackling their dark and dated kitchen by removing walls, raising the ceiling and incorporating an open-concept dining area.
Location: Richland, Oregon
Kitchen size: 300 square feet (28 square meters)
That’s interesting: The kitchen features a 1949 Kelvinator stove found on Craigslist in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and purchased for $500.
See the full tour
Many homeowners renovate in phases, and for Obbie and Connie Atkinson (center and right), it’s been nine years of restoring their late-1800s farmhouse in eastern Oregon. They turned a rickety canning porch into a vintage-style bathroom, and their most recent project was tackling their dark and dated kitchen by removing walls, raising the ceiling and incorporating an open-concept dining area.
Location: Richland, Oregon
Kitchen size: 300 square feet (28 square meters)
That’s interesting: The kitchen features a 1949 Kelvinator stove found on Craigslist in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and purchased for $500.
See the full tour
3. Austin Family Breathes New Life Into an Old Bungalow
Pittman and Merilee McGehee (previous photo) bought their family’s 1948 home from the original owner and brightened up the fixer-upper with new floors, custom salmon-colored bookshelves and a playful vibe that stays true to its architectural charm.
Location: Brykerwoods neighborhood of Austin, Texas
Size: 2,000 square feet (186 square meters); three bedrooms, two bathrooms
That’s interesting: The kitchen features a custom Moroccan-inspired arabesque-shaped doorway.
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Pittman and Merilee McGehee (previous photo) bought their family’s 1948 home from the original owner and brightened up the fixer-upper with new floors, custom salmon-colored bookshelves and a playful vibe that stays true to its architectural charm.
Location: Brykerwoods neighborhood of Austin, Texas
Size: 2,000 square feet (186 square meters); three bedrooms, two bathrooms
That’s interesting: The kitchen features a custom Moroccan-inspired arabesque-shaped doorway.
See the full tour
4. Homeowners Get Creative in a Farmhouse Renovation
Harper and Jimmy Quill (previous photo) transformed a rough farmhouse on 6 sprawling acres into a colorful multipurpose haven that is decorated with vintage finds and has hosted a number of recording artists.
Location: South Austin, Texas
Size: About 4,000 square feet (372 square meters); four bedrooms, 3½ bathrooms
That’s interesting: The couple built a recording studio on the property that has been used as a set for films and music videos. Next to it is a renovated vintage Spartan trailer that provides accommodations for visiting musicians.
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Harper and Jimmy Quill (previous photo) transformed a rough farmhouse on 6 sprawling acres into a colorful multipurpose haven that is decorated with vintage finds and has hosted a number of recording artists.
Location: South Austin, Texas
Size: About 4,000 square feet (372 square meters); four bedrooms, 3½ bathrooms
That’s interesting: The couple built a recording studio on the property that has been used as a set for films and music videos. Next to it is a renovated vintage Spartan trailer that provides accommodations for visiting musicians.
See the full tour
5. A Love Letter to a Small Midcentury Find
This 1956 home with a bedroom view of the Golden Gate Bridge immediately captured the heart of Gerard Garbutt (at left with friend Mindy Mull). He wrote a convincing letter that helped him become the second owner of the custom midcentury gem built by architect Henry Hill.
Location: Kensington, California
Size: 630 square feet (58 square meters); one bedroom, one bathroom
That’s interesting: The bathroom window opens up to a Japanese-inspired tsubo (small enclosed garden).
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This 1956 home with a bedroom view of the Golden Gate Bridge immediately captured the heart of Gerard Garbutt (at left with friend Mindy Mull). He wrote a convincing letter that helped him become the second owner of the custom midcentury gem built by architect Henry Hill.
Location: Kensington, California
Size: 630 square feet (58 square meters); one bedroom, one bathroom
That’s interesting: The bathroom window opens up to a Japanese-inspired tsubo (small enclosed garden).
See the full tour
6. Family of 5 Lives (Almost) Clutter Free
Having three young children can add up to a lot of things, especially in a turn-of-the-century home with limited closet space. Jennifer Fetner-Booth and Adrian Booth implemented smart, multipurpose decor to keep things tidy, and they involve their kids in the editing process. “They keep the items most treasured by them and learn to let go or appreciate the items they are intrigued by but don’t need to own,” she says.
Location: San Francisco
Size: 2,400 square feet (223 square meters); three bedrooms, 1½ bathrooms
That’s interesting: The house has only one full bathroom, which the family currently shares.
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Having three young children can add up to a lot of things, especially in a turn-of-the-century home with limited closet space. Jennifer Fetner-Booth and Adrian Booth implemented smart, multipurpose decor to keep things tidy, and they involve their kids in the editing process. “They keep the items most treasured by them and learn to let go or appreciate the items they are intrigued by but don’t need to own,” she says.
Location: San Francisco
Size: 2,400 square feet (223 square meters); three bedrooms, 1½ bathrooms
That’s interesting: The house has only one full bathroom, which the family currently shares.
See the full tour
7. A Condo of Delightful Curiosities in Louisville
Janice and Charlie Wiseman’s 1910 condo is filled to the brim with a collection of antiques and clever repurposed materials to reflect their eclectic vintage style. The avid collector of antique books and Navy retiree updated their kitchen and bathroom to make it their own.
Location: Louisville, Kentucky
Size: 1,400 square feet (130 square meters); one bedroom, one bathroom
That’s interesting: Standout antique pieces in the house include a carousel horse mold, carnival wheel, English book press and 200-year-old hay rake from Provence, France.
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Janice and Charlie Wiseman’s 1910 condo is filled to the brim with a collection of antiques and clever repurposed materials to reflect their eclectic vintage style. The avid collector of antique books and Navy retiree updated their kitchen and bathroom to make it their own.
Location: Louisville, Kentucky
Size: 1,400 square feet (130 square meters); one bedroom, one bathroom
That’s interesting: Standout antique pieces in the house include a carousel horse mold, carnival wheel, English book press and 200-year-old hay rake from Provence, France.
See more of this home
8. Color Rules at Blue Stallion Farm in Florida
This vibrant home fulfills Gany Lalo Bernal’s lifelong dream of living on a farm. She and her husband, Jimmie Bernal, brought what had been a nonworking farm for more than 12 years back to life, adding color and plenty of design personality. Their family raises 11 horses, six dogs, two cats, one pig, three zebus, and a number of birds and chickens with her family.
Location: Southwest Ranches, Florida
Size: 3,000 square feet (279 square meters), four bedrooms, three bathrooms
That’s interesting: The kitchen features a custom pendant light of industrial copper and a vine from a Balinese tree.
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This vibrant home fulfills Gany Lalo Bernal’s lifelong dream of living on a farm. She and her husband, Jimmie Bernal, brought what had been a nonworking farm for more than 12 years back to life, adding color and plenty of design personality. Their family raises 11 horses, six dogs, two cats, one pig, three zebus, and a number of birds and chickens with her family.
Location: Southwest Ranches, Florida
Size: 3,000 square feet (279 square meters), four bedrooms, three bathrooms
That’s interesting: The kitchen features a custom pendant light of industrial copper and a vine from a Balinese tree.
See the full tour
9. An 18th-Century Cottage on a Tiny English Island
Everything is upcycled, recycled, reclaimed or handmade in Mouse Martin’s tiny home. The ceramicist re-covered furniture found in the dumpster, repurposed old barn doors into kitchen cabinets and turned fire buckets into lampshades.
Location: South Cerney, near Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England
Size: About 320 square feet (30 square meters); one bedroom, one bathroom
That’s interesting: The house was originally a cart shed built in the 1750s next to a water mill. It also served as apple storage and a garage until converted into a house in the mid-1970s.
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Everything is upcycled, recycled, reclaimed or handmade in Mouse Martin’s tiny home. The ceramicist re-covered furniture found in the dumpster, repurposed old barn doors into kitchen cabinets and turned fire buckets into lampshades.
Location: South Cerney, near Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England
Size: About 320 square feet (30 square meters); one bedroom, one bathroom
That’s interesting: The house was originally a cart shed built in the 1750s next to a water mill. It also served as apple storage and a garage until converted into a house in the mid-1970s.
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10. Renovated 1912 Farmhouse Radiates Warmth and Charm
Rich and Kim Smith prefer things that are used, or in her words, “just things that have lived.” As a firefighter, Rich has salvaged materials from damaged homes to repurpose, and other gathered and inherited vintage finds help create a collected interior that tells a visual story of their family’s history.
Location: Ellensburg, Washington
Size: 2,700 square feet (251 square meters); three bedrooms, two bathrooms, plus a guest room
That’s interesting: The commanding rustic fireplace features rocks from the Yakima River and “hidden” designs including flowers and a heart shape.
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Rich and Kim Smith prefer things that are used, or in her words, “just things that have lived.” As a firefighter, Rich has salvaged materials from damaged homes to repurpose, and other gathered and inherited vintage finds help create a collected interior that tells a visual story of their family’s history.
Location: Ellensburg, Washington
Size: 2,700 square feet (251 square meters); three bedrooms, two bathrooms, plus a guest room
That’s interesting: The commanding rustic fireplace features rocks from the Yakima River and “hidden” designs including flowers and a heart shape.
See the full tour
11. Art and Colorful Finds in a Manhattan Apartment
A neighbor’s flood disaster was the impetus for remodeling the kitchen in playwright Richard Manley and Jennifer Hinshaw’s 1,100-square-foot apartment. “This was a terrible hassle, but it gave us the opportunity to build a beautiful, more open space,” Manley says.
Location: Manhattan, New York City
Size: 1,100 square feet (102 square meters); one bedroom, one bathroom
That’s interesting: The couple’s dining tabletop is a canvas painting depicting a circus scene that had been used as a theater production backdrop in France. A carpenter converted the art piece into a table that seats up to 14.
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A neighbor’s flood disaster was the impetus for remodeling the kitchen in playwright Richard Manley and Jennifer Hinshaw’s 1,100-square-foot apartment. “This was a terrible hassle, but it gave us the opportunity to build a beautiful, more open space,” Manley says.
Location: Manhattan, New York City
Size: 1,100 square feet (102 square meters); one bedroom, one bathroom
That’s interesting: The couple’s dining tabletop is a canvas painting depicting a circus scene that had been used as a theater production backdrop in France. A carpenter converted the art piece into a table that seats up to 14.
See the full tour
12. Elegant Redo of a Hollywood Spanish Colonial
Movie and TV producer Guy J. Louthan restored a multistory 1909 Spanish gem in the Hollywood Hills, taking cues from his experience growing up in a 600-year-old countryside manor in Scotland. Secret passageways, elegant finishes and a thoughtful layout help elevate an interior that was in need of TLC.
Location: Hollywood, California
Size: 4,200 square feet (390 square meters); five bedrooms, 4½ bathrooms
That’s interesting: A moving bookcase leads to a hidden office. The house is the former home of actor Jack Lemmon.
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Movie and TV producer Guy J. Louthan restored a multistory 1909 Spanish gem in the Hollywood Hills, taking cues from his experience growing up in a 600-year-old countryside manor in Scotland. Secret passageways, elegant finishes and a thoughtful layout help elevate an interior that was in need of TLC.
Location: Hollywood, California
Size: 4,200 square feet (390 square meters); five bedrooms, 4½ bathrooms
That’s interesting: A moving bookcase leads to a hidden office. The house is the former home of actor Jack Lemmon.
See the full tour
13. Global Details Add Character to a Connecticut Farmhouse
Lush textiles and gorgeous antiques warm up this classic 1745 East Coast farmhouse owned by Ellen Allen. Well-worn original details show the handmade care put into its original construction, and the interior designer added an enclosed porch that uses a combination of brick, granite and recycled barn wood.
Location: Woodbury, Connecticut
Size: 3,000 square feet (279 square meters), four bedrooms, 2½ bathrooms
That’s interesting: The home was built in 1745 by the Judsons, a prominent local family, and was a dairy farm in the 19th century.
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Lush textiles and gorgeous antiques warm up this classic 1745 East Coast farmhouse owned by Ellen Allen. Well-worn original details show the handmade care put into its original construction, and the interior designer added an enclosed porch that uses a combination of brick, granite and recycled barn wood.
Location: Woodbury, Connecticut
Size: 3,000 square feet (279 square meters), four bedrooms, 2½ bathrooms
That’s interesting: The home was built in 1745 by the Judsons, a prominent local family, and was a dairy farm in the 19th century.
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14. Right at Home in Their Schindler House
Curiosity about a Craigslist posting for a modern home in Inglewood led Kali Nikitas and Richard Shelton to buy a pre-World War II speculative home by architect Rudolph M. Schindler. It is one of only three in the area. “I simply couldn’t believe it,” Shelton says. “We’ve always been admirers of Schindler but never dreamed of owning one of his houses.”
Location: Inglewood neighborhood of Los Angeles
Size: 1,040 square feet (97 square meters); two bedrooms, one bathroom
That’s interesting: This home was part of the 2015 Los Angeles Design Festival’s Inglewood City Design Tour.
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Curiosity about a Craigslist posting for a modern home in Inglewood led Kali Nikitas and Richard Shelton to buy a pre-World War II speculative home by architect Rudolph M. Schindler. It is one of only three in the area. “I simply couldn’t believe it,” Shelton says. “We’ve always been admirers of Schindler but never dreamed of owning one of his houses.”
Location: Inglewood neighborhood of Los Angeles
Size: 1,040 square feet (97 square meters); two bedrooms, one bathroom
That’s interesting: This home was part of the 2015 Los Angeles Design Festival’s Inglewood City Design Tour.
See the full tour
15. From Belgium With Love
Belgian designers Hilde and Reza Leiaghat’s Craftsman is filled with antiques and crisp linens that reflect their company’s motto of “European elegance with American comfort.” The use of natural, muted colors and lots of white has a relaxing, soothing effect as soon as you open the front door.
Location: Los Feliz neighborhood of Los Angeles
Size: 1,976 square feet (183 square meters); five bedrooms, 2½ bathrooms
That’s interesting: The couple invested $20,000 to convert their detached two-car garage into a charming guest cottage, raising the floor to add plumbing for a kitchen and bath.
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Belgian designers Hilde and Reza Leiaghat’s Craftsman is filled with antiques and crisp linens that reflect their company’s motto of “European elegance with American comfort.” The use of natural, muted colors and lots of white has a relaxing, soothing effect as soon as you open the front door.
Location: Los Feliz neighborhood of Los Angeles
Size: 1,976 square feet (183 square meters); five bedrooms, 2½ bathrooms
That’s interesting: The couple invested $20,000 to convert their detached two-car garage into a charming guest cottage, raising the floor to add plumbing for a kitchen and bath.
See the full tour
16. Architectural Elegance With the Addition of Built-Ins
Interior designer Tawnessa Carter has always been obsessed with built-ins. Custom shelves help keep the clutter of three kids at bay, and provide storage for treasured books and travel mementos. Husband Bill Cronin, an artist and a handyman, built custom shelves in each room; some are clever design hacks with secondhand finds.
Location: Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
Size: 1,800 square feet (167 square meters); four bedrooms, two bathrooms
That’s interesting: The kitchen has only open shelving. “With a busy family of five, the dishes cycle through, and we never worry about dust. The open shelves make it easy for kids and guests to help themselves,” Carter says.
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Interior designer Tawnessa Carter has always been obsessed with built-ins. Custom shelves help keep the clutter of three kids at bay, and provide storage for treasured books and travel mementos. Husband Bill Cronin, an artist and a handyman, built custom shelves in each room; some are clever design hacks with secondhand finds.
Location: Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
Size: 1,800 square feet (167 square meters); four bedrooms, two bathrooms
That’s interesting: The kitchen has only open shelving. “With a busy family of five, the dishes cycle through, and we never worry about dust. The open shelves make it easy for kids and guests to help themselves,” Carter says.
See the full tour
17. Color and Comfort in Upstate New York
Amanda Crames has a knack for reimagining flea market finds in candy-colored pastel hues. Her 1849 home boasts gorgeous views of Vermont’s Green Mountains and is filled with a collection of antiques and pieces with patina, mixing the old with modern touches.
Location: Saratoga, New York
Size: 2,400 square feet (223 square meters) on about 5 acres; four bedrooms, 3½ bathrooms
That’s interesting: The property includes a pool and a pond that attracts all kinds of wildlife. The upstairs hall features the original plank floors and banister from 1849.
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Amanda Crames has a knack for reimagining flea market finds in candy-colored pastel hues. Her 1849 home boasts gorgeous views of Vermont’s Green Mountains and is filled with a collection of antiques and pieces with patina, mixing the old with modern touches.
Location: Saratoga, New York
Size: 2,400 square feet (223 square meters) on about 5 acres; four bedrooms, 3½ bathrooms
That’s interesting: The property includes a pool and a pond that attracts all kinds of wildlife. The upstairs hall features the original plank floors and banister from 1849.
See the full tour
18. Relaxed Glamour in a Downtown Row House
Mark and Hallie Burrier saw past the green shag carpeting and cracked plastered walls in their 1890 row house, and added color and whimsical touches to transform their dated interiors. The hands-on couple refinished nearly every inch of the home, striking the just-right balance of relaxed glamour and casual drama.
Location: Frederick, Maryland
Size: 2,500 square feet (232 square meters); four bedrooms, 2½ bathrooms
That’s interesting: The bathroom is in what was originally a covered porch between two row houses. After Hallie took a crowbar to the tile, she eventually got down to the brick and was able to gain about 8 inches of space.
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Mark and Hallie Burrier saw past the green shag carpeting and cracked plastered walls in their 1890 row house, and added color and whimsical touches to transform their dated interiors. The hands-on couple refinished nearly every inch of the home, striking the just-right balance of relaxed glamour and casual drama.
Location: Frederick, Maryland
Size: 2,500 square feet (232 square meters); four bedrooms, 2½ bathrooms
That’s interesting: The bathroom is in what was originally a covered porch between two row houses. After Hallie took a crowbar to the tile, she eventually got down to the brick and was able to gain about 8 inches of space.
See the full tour
19. New Features for a 1912 Craftsman Gem
A decade went by quickly for Lynn Raube (previous photo) and Jeff Behnke in creating their family’s forever home in Portland, Oregon. Previous unattractive remodeling projects had resulted in many aluminum windows, random built-ins and mismatched trim that had no design continuity, but now their patience has paid off.
Location: Dolph Park neighborhood of Portland, Oregon
Size: 3,031 square feet (281.5 square meters); four bedrooms, 3½ bathrooms
That’s interesting: The home’s first remodel happened in 1922, 10 years after it was built, when the original owners moved the house to accommodate the neighborhood school, now a kindergarten through eighth grade, which is just across the street.
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A decade went by quickly for Lynn Raube (previous photo) and Jeff Behnke in creating their family’s forever home in Portland, Oregon. Previous unattractive remodeling projects had resulted in many aluminum windows, random built-ins and mismatched trim that had no design continuity, but now their patience has paid off.
Location: Dolph Park neighborhood of Portland, Oregon
Size: 3,031 square feet (281.5 square meters); four bedrooms, 3½ bathrooms
That’s interesting: The home’s first remodel happened in 1922, 10 years after it was built, when the original owners moved the house to accommodate the neighborhood school, now a kindergarten through eighth grade, which is just across the street.
See the full tour
20. Small-Space Living in a Restored Bungalow
Serial remodeler Brian Hickman embraced the imperfections and heritage of his 1919 Craftsman fixer-upper in Long Beach. He set about returning its interior to its original glory, removing decades of dubious updates and adding in original design details and flea market finds.
Location: Bluff Park neighborhood of Long Beach, California
Size: 1,100 square feet (102 square meters); two bedrooms, one bathroom
That’s interesting: The previous owner had taken down the original interior doors and crown moldings, but thankfully saved and stored them in the basement for Hickman to discover and reuse.
See the full tour
Serial remodeler Brian Hickman embraced the imperfections and heritage of his 1919 Craftsman fixer-upper in Long Beach. He set about returning its interior to its original glory, removing decades of dubious updates and adding in original design details and flea market finds.
Location: Bluff Park neighborhood of Long Beach, California
Size: 1,100 square feet (102 square meters); two bedrooms, one bathroom
That’s interesting: The previous owner had taken down the original interior doors and crown moldings, but thankfully saved and stored them in the basement for Hickman to discover and reuse.
See the full tour
21. Colorful Makeover for a Texas Ranch House
Mike and Denise Silverman (previous photo) took a wait-and-see approach to updating their 1963 ranch after being unsure how long they would stay in their home. Fast-forward 10 years, and they realized that they loved their neighborhood and that it was finally time to give their family’s home a major makeover. Their starting point was a favorite swatch of graphic wallpaper by Orla Kiely, and after working with a designer, they wound up with a colorful personality-packed remodel.
Location: Austin, Texas
Size: 2,150 square feet (200 square meters); four bedrooms, 2½ bathrooms
That’s interesting: After eliminating a load-bearing wall, the couple needed a 4-inch support beam that would hang below the ceiling. They stained the beam to match the walnut color on the floors and ended up adding wall paneling in the same stained wood, so it would look like a continuation of the beam. It’s now their favorite feature.
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Mike and Denise Silverman (previous photo) took a wait-and-see approach to updating their 1963 ranch after being unsure how long they would stay in their home. Fast-forward 10 years, and they realized that they loved their neighborhood and that it was finally time to give their family’s home a major makeover. Their starting point was a favorite swatch of graphic wallpaper by Orla Kiely, and after working with a designer, they wound up with a colorful personality-packed remodel.
Location: Austin, Texas
Size: 2,150 square feet (200 square meters); four bedrooms, 2½ bathrooms
That’s interesting: After eliminating a load-bearing wall, the couple needed a 4-inch support beam that would hang below the ceiling. They stained the beam to match the walnut color on the floors and ended up adding wall paneling in the same stained wood, so it would look like a continuation of the beam. It’s now their favorite feature.
See the full tour
22. Charming Update for a 1920s Bungalow in Salt Lake City
Interior design consultant Emily Foxley (in previous photo with her Goldendoodle, Teddy) completely overhauled her dilapidated 1927 Dutch bungalow, giving it a more modern open floor plan and flow. The house also got new windows and doors, and an updated facade with scalloped shingles.
Location: Salt Lake City
Size: 2,200 square feet (204 square meters); four bedrooms, two bathrooms
That’s interesting: The original owners used the basement primarily for coal and vegetable storage, with access from the back of the house.
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Interior design consultant Emily Foxley (in previous photo with her Goldendoodle, Teddy) completely overhauled her dilapidated 1927 Dutch bungalow, giving it a more modern open floor plan and flow. The house also got new windows and doors, and an updated facade with scalloped shingles.
Location: Salt Lake City
Size: 2,200 square feet (204 square meters); four bedrooms, two bathrooms
That’s interesting: The original owners used the basement primarily for coal and vegetable storage, with access from the back of the house.
See the full tour
23. African Art and Midcentury Style in a Louisiana Home
Kitten and Mark Grote’s countryside 1962 home, on 6 lush acres just outside New Orleans, is decorated with a mix of midcentury furniture classics, antiques, baskets and artwork. The home has undergone renovations since they bought it, and it sustained damage from Hurricane Katrina. “What makes our house unique is that it has been kept true to the way it was built,” Kitten says. After handling the aftermath of Katrina, she adds, “We are so much more resilient now.”
Location: Covington, Louisiana
Size: 3,000 square feet (279 square meters), three bedrooms, three bathrooms
That’s interesting: The property features a separate art studio and apartment, which hosts visiting artists from around the world through residency programs.
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Kitten and Mark Grote’s countryside 1962 home, on 6 lush acres just outside New Orleans, is decorated with a mix of midcentury furniture classics, antiques, baskets and artwork. The home has undergone renovations since they bought it, and it sustained damage from Hurricane Katrina. “What makes our house unique is that it has been kept true to the way it was built,” Kitten says. After handling the aftermath of Katrina, she adds, “We are so much more resilient now.”
Location: Covington, Louisiana
Size: 3,000 square feet (279 square meters), three bedrooms, three bathrooms
That’s interesting: The property features a separate art studio and apartment, which hosts visiting artists from around the world through residency programs.
See the full tour
24. Cool, Eclectic Style for a Los Angeles Family Home
Quirky DIY details, handmade art and great indoor-outdoor flow mark Maritza Gualy and Ken Pelletier’s hilltop home. The creative couple took full advantage of their outside space and expanded their small backyard deck the length of the property despite the home’s challenging location on the side of a canyon.
Location: Mount Washington neighborhood of Los Angeles
Size: 1,782 square feet (166 square meters); four bedrooms, 2½ bathrooms
That’s interesting: One side of the garage is a play area for the couple’s two kids and features an accent wall inspired by a favorite graphic wallpaper and drawn by hand with marker.
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Quirky DIY details, handmade art and great indoor-outdoor flow mark Maritza Gualy and Ken Pelletier’s hilltop home. The creative couple took full advantage of their outside space and expanded their small backyard deck the length of the property despite the home’s challenging location on the side of a canyon.
Location: Mount Washington neighborhood of Los Angeles
Size: 1,782 square feet (166 square meters); four bedrooms, 2½ bathrooms
That’s interesting: One side of the garage is a play area for the couple’s two kids and features an accent wall inspired by a favorite graphic wallpaper and drawn by hand with marker.
See the full tour
25. Backyard Cottage Office and an Artful Low-Water Garden
Pat Barry (above left) and Chris Kukula started their landscape redesign with the desire for a backyard cottage. “The original thought was that it would become a guest room,” Kukula says. But once it was under construction, they decided to claim it for their husband-and-wife design and construction business, and they now enjoy a very short and scenic commute.
Location: Piedmont, California
Size: 120-square-foot cottage (about 11 square meters) on 2,835 square feet (about 263 square meters)
That’s interesting: The property is also a demonstration garden of low-water plants growing in beds representing Australia, South Africa, the Mediterranean and California.
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Tell us: What’s your favorite My Houzz tour from this year?
Pat Barry (above left) and Chris Kukula started their landscape redesign with the desire for a backyard cottage. “The original thought was that it would become a guest room,” Kukula says. But once it was under construction, they decided to claim it for their husband-and-wife design and construction business, and they now enjoy a very short and scenic commute.
Location: Piedmont, California
Size: 120-square-foot cottage (about 11 square meters) on 2,835 square feet (about 263 square meters)
That’s interesting: The property is also a demonstration garden of low-water plants growing in beds representing Australia, South Africa, the Mediterranean and California.
See the full tour
Tell us: What’s your favorite My Houzz tour from this year?
Bryan and Jen Danger (previous photo) had an “aha” moment for how they wanted to live after returning from a three-year trip through Canada, Mexico and Central America. During their travels, they got rid of most of their belongings and decided to downsize. They now live in their converted 480-square-foot garage marked by clever repurposed materials and industrial style while renting out their five-bedroom home.
Size: About 480 square feet (45 square meters)
Location: Lower Division neighborhood of Portland, Oregon
That’s interesting: The thoughtful multipurpose studio features a sleeping loft reached by staircase and steps that slide in and out of a wall. Beneath the loft is a utility closet with the washer and dryer.
See more of this home