Living room

Many home building experts have written obituaries for the living room. We think there's life in the old sofa cushion yet: Our living room is an active center of the house, designed for family gatherings and entertaining. At approximately 30 by 21 feet, the room is grand but casual. The ceiling soars to almost 20 feet, and large expanses of windows and doors--angled to capture 180° views--link inside and out. It's the architectural equivalent of the 10-gallon hat. Sand-colored walls echo the golden hue of surrounding grass-covered hillsides, and slate patio pavers extend into the room along the window wall, reinforcing the continuity between exterior and interior spaces. Furnishings are functional and informal, ranging from a quilted sofa to cozy chairs big enough to curl up in. Four leather ottomans, which match the green dyed-concrete fireplace mantel, double as a coffee table. The area rug is made from sisal wool broadloom edged in red.
Windows: Pella. Furnishings: Lexington.

A book-lined alcove

The airiness of the living room is balanced by the more intimate, partially enclosed library/sitting room at one end. With its suede club chairs, area rug, and floor-to-ceiling bookcases, the room has a Masterpiece Theatre flair.
Rug: Karastan. Paint: Saddlebag Brown Infinity paint by HomeBase.

PHOTOS: DAVID WAKELY