It’s the architectural decisions that make this home special. It’s a perfect combination of an open floor plan and a well-defined living space.

The flooring changes in level and material from area to area, helping to create clear definitions without having to resort to full walls. Dropping the living room by one step sets it up as the center of the home while really showcasing the bright light stone flooring. Twenty-four inch stone tiles and no visible grout lines create a shiny modern floor that really works with the muted light Oriental rug and classic furniture.

The ceiling also varies dramatically from area to area, with wood beams and soffits helping to show separation while not limiting the open view throughout the space. Unusual touches such as the triangular skylight add a daring element.

The kitchen, set at the center back of the photo, has a three-step approach and just enough walls to allow a separation from the rest of the home. By dimming the lights the way they are in this photo, it’s easy to ignore dirty dishes and other kitchen clutter after a dinner party.

The many variations in this space would feel busy without the consistency in design and color. The columns that delineate the corners are all the rich camel-color of natural leather with an interesting set of lines that are also consistent from one to another. The same color is reflected in the wood steps and thresholds.

The décor of the room works very well, but this home would be interesting, even if empty. When you start with a good design, it’s easier to find furniture that takes advantage of a space rather than having to hide problems. This home works!

The beautiful wood floor and simple furniture provides a nice beginning to decorating this room. What does the new homeowner need to add to finish the décor? Let’s take a look at the options.

From a furnishings standpoint, the sofa is a good choice for seating needs, but adding a loveseat or an oversized chair would help with providing more seating for guests.  A coffee table and side table or two will provide places for drinks and snacks and give the room a more polished look. The choices are varied. They could choose black to help the other furniture pop, a darker wood to create a more cohesive look, or even glass and metal to show off that beautiful floor. The feel of the space leans toward modern, so simple lines would work best.

The next issue is color. The white pillows leave the room in a very neutral palette. Adding blues or greens and even a sprinkle of yellow would help to stay with the white-based clear color palette.  More white or creams along with black would provide a daring approach to color in this room. An area rug in a bright, bold color and some art will help define and enhance their color approach.

Finally, a sprinkling of accessories will allow them to make the room totally their own. Whether their choices come from some favorite pieces inherited from a grandmother, a few hand-crafted items collected on various trips, or just an appealing vase from the shop down the street, accessories will help them define their taste and portray their style preferences to friends and other visitors.

The most important step, however, is to take their time. Find the elements that suit their sense of style and let each purchase help point them in the direction of the next. That’s the best way to create a room that totally works for them.

Too many designs for vaulted ceilings almost always ignore the extra height. This turns a design advantage to at best, a neutral. In the worst situation, it looks as if the room is only half finished.

This space really uses its high ceilings while still offering enough design interest at and below eye level.

To begin, the stone flooring has an appealing design and its personality and color mix sets the stage for the rest of the room. Notice the dark taupe diagonal elements that appear on this warm marble floor. You see that color repeated on the upper wall to the right and the stairs and banister.

Architectural elements such as the tall narrow windows and the oversized crown molding bring the ceiling into the design of the space. It’s also fortunate that this room has two stairways, which provide a natural connection among levels.

The artwork on the back wall works in this room for three reasons. The soft tones fit the color palette, the three-part design echoes the windows on both sides, and the height and positioning pull lower and higher levels together.

Two other pieces add to the design impact. Furniture is limited in this room, but the graceful marble-topped table has curves that echo the staircase and the wood base adds warmth among all of the harder surfaces. Finally, the simple plant shows an understanding of the proportions of the room with its tall and lean profile.

With a few smart design decisions, this room makes the best of its high proportions while still maintaining warmth and interest.

Most people are used to looking at their front doors from the inside because they enter their homes through a garage or side door. How long has it been since you looked at your own front entryway?

People form an impression of your home before they walk into it as they stand by your door waiting for you to answer. Is your front entrance engaging and interesting or just a way into your home? Well, it’s time to stretch your design eye out your front door.

Start by taking a good look. Is your lighting something special or just the fixture that was there when you bought your home? Does it make your front door stand out like the one in this photo? Changing this out is a low-cost upgrade. Walk outside after dark. Do your lights provide enough illumination to keep your guests safe as they come to your door? Look for dark spots and fix the problem with solar lights or other outdoor options.

This door works because of the contrast between the door itself and the surrounding home. Does your front door announce its presence with color or contrast? Doors can go in almost any color direction. This photo shows a dark brown/black door, but if you take a look at the second photo you will see how color can add style.

This photo shows two townhouse doors side-by-side. Using the different color choices helps each to stand out with an individual flavor.

Consider color, lighting, and also changing the surface of your path or landing with tile, brick or stone as these photos show. You will be well on your way to an entry that gives the first impression you want.

At the end of the day, do you wish you could escape to a beach like this? For most of us this scene is beyond our reach on an everyday basis. However, you can take your back patio and find ways to bring the mood of the beach to your own home.

Although this scene is inviting, it’s also pretty impractical. We wouldn’t really want to have sand in the back yard or sit on those rough rustic twig chairs, but you can grab some ideas and translate their essence to your patio.

Sand is replaced by travertine pavers. The light neutral tones that travertine provides mimics the look of sand without the mess.

Substitute oiled teak for the rustic furniture on the beach. The contrast with the travertine and the rich wood color is still there, but made more comfortable and inviting for everyday use.

A few plants in pots recollect a natural setting, and the mosaic table has the feel of a seashell with its spiral pattern.

Instead of the colorful flags flying over the shore scene, adding throw pillows in bright solids finishes the space with color. Thanks to the weather-resistant fabric choices available now, those pillows can stay outside all the time.

As the sun sets, add candles or lanterns on tables and use light strings to add charm, set the boundaries and light pathways. Now you’re ready to relax at home every evening, or gather some friends together for a beach party with everything you need except for the ocean.

This is more than a hallway. This passageway has its own personality and charm. It invites you to walk down it, have a seat, and browse the artwork. It makes you want to linger as you walk from one room to another, and it makes the journey a pleasant one.

Can you say this about the hallways in your home? For most people, at best a hall is well-lit with a picture or two to add interest. What makes this hall so special? How about attention to every detail?

First, the flooring matches the rooms surrounding it. Yes, spending the money for hall flooring is well worth it. You see it from every room in your home. Some people even choose to use a special motif or layout down a hall to make it more interesting.

The next smart choices are wall and ceiling colors. By choosing a warm tone for the walls and keeping the ceiling several shades lighter, this hall feels cozy,

If your hallway has the space, adding furniture like the choices made here changes the shape of the space and helps mitigate the long narrow feeling. It gives the eye something to rest on along the way.

Finally, the smartest decision involves the lighting. By choosing track lighting and setting each light as a spot for the artwork, the hallway becomes an interesting mix of light and shadows, with artwork highlighted as you walk through.

Whether visitors pause to take off their shoes or admire a painting, this hall has become more than a way to move from one room to another. It is a room in its own right, with its portion of charm and design. Can you do the same with your home’s own passageways?

Would you like to exercise regularly but find it difficult to make time for it? Well, one help is to exercise at home rather than having to run to the gym.

Aerobic exercise is the easiest to fit in. Add a walk to your routine three or more times a week. Once around the neighborhood – with your dog if you have one –will improve your aerobic capability. Add time and speed as you get into better shape.

For strength training, pick up a few free-weights or wrist and ankle weights. Often the package will include some basic exercises. If not, check online or pick up a book or magazine.

Yoga is the best option for improving flexibility. This exercise is manageable for people at any level of fitness. Pick up a DVD or book on the basics to get started. This is one skill where taking an occasional class can improve your form and capability.

Be sure to determine a good location at home for both yoga and strength training. In front of the couch can work well, especially if you can see your TV/DVD from there. Just move the coffee table to the side and you will probably have enough room to stretch out.

If your living or family room has carpeting, just add a beach towel and you are ready to start. If you want more cushioning, or if you have hard surface flooring such as wood or tile, pick up a yoga mat like those shown in the photo. For a small cost you can be comfortable for any floor exercise.

No excuses anymore – start exercising and make a commitment to your health and well-being. You can do it!

The two-inch wood blinds frame a room that takes advantage of its matching flooring and window coverings to add architectural flair. This completely modern space uses the blinds as an architectural highlight that helps link the flooring to the furnishings.

The dark tape running along the blinds provides a strong dark vertical. This complements the strong dark horizontals of the bed frame and night stand. With one decision, the selection of dark fabric tapes, the room connects its architecture with its furnishings.

The rest of the design decisions are subtle and appealing. The bed’s base shams have ties on the ends, adding a nice softening contrast to the masculine frame. The two sets of throw pillows also have a masculine element with the large rows of circles and a feminine touch from the embroidered dragonflies on the top pillows.

Even though this space is completely contemporary, it’s also comfortable and functional. The headboard is padded and perfectly curved to lean against and read or watch television in bed. The nightstand is large enough to hold essentials and extra books and magazines on the lower shelf.

This room works because the foundation elements coordinate well with the choices of furnishings and accessories. This is a valuable design lesson: when you’re planning a room, consider starting with wood flooring and two-inch wooden blinds in a matching stain. You instantly have the foundation of a beautiful room, no matter what style you prefer.