Gold Country Idea House

A built-in laundry chute drops clothing into a pullout hamper that can be rolled to the undercounter washing machine. Once washed and dried, the clothes are stored in individual wire baskets, each one labeled for its owner. A painted vinyl runner adds a colorful splash.

The window valance in the guest room rewards close inspection: It’s fashioned from a strip of crimped and perforated wallpaper strung on tensioned wire.

Dowels create vertical pockets in the oversize kitchen drawer; they’re designed to provide easy access to dinner plates.

Three drawers built into the home office window seat function as camouflaged storage for files.

The door to the left of the dining area fireplace looks like a built-in hutch, but like a good vintage it reveals surprising depth: It opens to a cool wine closet, with shelves that hold 450 bottles.

A cabinet in the great hall allows for views to the hallway behind the living area fireplace.

The wall colors are designed to harmonize with one another. Here yellow, khaki, and red hues create a warm composition.

The glistening celadon green urn creates a cool, eye-catching fountain on a rear terrace. The glazed terra-cotta jar was adapted for use as a water feature.

See how to turn a pot into a fountain