Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's California home is basically a luxury spa

The WB House, a four-story residence located in North Jakarta, was designed by Studio DeZign for a young family of four, embodying a collaborative effort between the designers and the homeowners. T. Mariza, co-founder and principal architect of Studio DeZign, shared insights into the project, highlighting its remarkable features and design philosophy. The residence begins with a tranquil entrance featuring a Zen fountain pond, designed to transition visitors from the urban bustle to a peaceful home environment. Inside the foyer, a lazy chair by corrugated glass offers views of the terrace and trees, complemented by a Saniharto console table set against a blue veneer wood panel, chosen by Mariza for its eye-catching accent. Moving inward, a grey patterned marble floor leads to the living area. The color scheme shifts to beige, accentuated with colorful sofa cushions, an ochre armchair, a black baby grand piano, and other dark-colored furniture. An emerald green Saniharto wine console stands under a skylight void, and a leaf-shaped Murano glass chandelier hangs above the living room. A glass-roofed patio with a vertical garden further integrates nature into the space. Initially envisioned with a modern layout, the owners opted for a modern classic style after reviewing Studio DeZign's portfolio. Mariza explained that due to existing house plan discrepancies, a complete classic style wasn't feasible, leading to an amalgamation of modern and classic elements. This approach resulted in a modern classic home, leveraging Mariza's 35 years of interior design expertise. To facilitate the design, revisions to the floor plan were necessary, a task undertaken by architect Gunawan Susantyo, Mariza’s partner. Mariza also suggested adding several voids, including one behind the dining area transformed into a Japanese-style dry garden. This was done to invite nature into the interior, providing sunlight and wind, thereby enhancing the home's comfort and spaciousness. Another void was added beside the lift to channel light into the basement's playroom and service area. The second-floor mezzanine houses well-appointed bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, each designed to reflect the occupants' preferences. The master bedroom, styled in American classic, features a predominantly white color scheme in the bedroom and wardrobe area, contrasting with a darker bathroom adorned with black and white geometric tiles. The daughter’s bedroom incorporates elements of classic style, while the son’s room features a modern and simple aesthetic. The rooftop, initially designated as a service area, was transformed into a functional space at Mariza's suggestion. Recognizing the convenience of the in-house lift, the rooftop now includes a home office, a gym corner, and a casual seating area, alongside a multifunctional open space. A gazebo offers a perfect spot to enjoy city lights at night. The project details include the WB House's location in Pantai Indah Kapuk, Jakarta, with a land area of 360 sqm and a floor area of 875 sqm. Studio Dezign served as the Architecture & Interior Design Consultant, with Tjong Mariza as the Principal Designer. Other consultants included Lecsicon Lumen Kreasi for lighting and Atelier Lifescape for landscape. PT Bangun Bumi Megatama Mandiri was the M&E; Contractor & Main Contractor, while Studio Dezign also acted as the Interior Contractor. Construction commenced in 2020 and was completed in 2023. #WBHouse #LuxuryHome #StudioDeZign #ModernClassicInterior #JakartaArchitecture #InteriorDesign #ResidentialProject #HomeComfort #ArchitecturalVoids

Debbie and Worth Brooks, a couple with backgrounds in healthcare and a shared passion for gardening and older homes, met in 2013 and married in 2017. They purchased a circa-1919 bungalow in Ardmore, a neighborhood right around the corner from where Worth grew up. Despite the house and yard requiring significant work, Debbie, originally from South Florida, recognized the property's potential. The primary bedroom's windows were a key selling point for her, and this space became the focus of the first phase of their home's renovation, aiming to create a private retreat. With the assistance of Harvest Luxury Builders, the couple transformed a bedroom adjacent to the primary bedroom into a luxurious shower and bath, creating a spa-like experience and a spacious en suite. Both Debbie, an avid amateur endurance athlete who has run 13 marathons including New York, Chicago, and Boston (for which she qualified at age 60), and Worth, who enjoys the gym and strength training, found the therapeutic benefits of their new luxury bathroom indispensable for their fitness routines. The luxury shower and bath also proved practical for two healthcare professionals who decided to take on the demanding task of landscaping their yard themselves. On the day they bought the house, the yard was cluttered with discarded motors and automotive parts. Debbie recalled the extensive effort required, stating, "We had to excavate a lot of dying trees and buried pieces of driveway from a former dilapidated garage." She estimated that she and Worth completed up to 90% of the landscaping work personally, making the spa-like experience of their new bath even more well-deserved. In the spring of 2022, Debbie's sister-in-law encouraged them to expand the kitchen. Debbie noted that while they only increased the kitchen's size by 64 square feet, it made a significant difference. Following the removal of a support wall and the relocation of the laundry room to the back of the house, a red oak beam now spans the expanded kitchen space. Original heart pine planks were revealed in the ceiling, contributing to a modern farmhouse aesthetic. A leathered granite countertop, formerly a space for folding clothes, became a favorite food preparation area. Debbie expressed her satisfaction with the renovation, highlighting that the back door now opens directly onto their deck, eliminating the need to walk through the old laundry room. She also appreciated the new location of the washer and dryer in a closet just outside the primary bedroom. The second phase of renovations addressed a rotting front porch that wrapped around the corner of the house. The Brooks opted for large cedar posts and lined the entire porch with cedar. They also re-did the porch floor with composite decking, significantly extending its lifespan. Just over six months after these changes, Debbie and Worth were delighted with their home's transformation, crediting Todd and Robin Aron with Harvest Luxury Builders for their hard work, stating, "We can't thank them enough. Not anyone can renovate these old homes." Despite the significant interior remodeling, much of which is hidden from view, the couple's sustained efforts on the exterior have attracted attention from passersby and the Winston-Salem Garden Council. The Garden Council recently requested that the Brooks' home and yard be considered for Forsyth County's Bird Friendly Habitat Certification Program. Debbie views this as a positive start and is working to gather historical documentation about the house. She hopes their private paradise will one day earn the certification, reflecting their dedication to both their home and its natural surroundings. #HomeRenovation #CraftsmanBungalow #ArdmoreNeighborhood #HomeImprovement #LuxuryBathroom #KitchenExpansion #Landscaping #HistoricHomes #WinstonSalem

This blog post explores a luxurious 10,000-square-foot contemporary home in McLean, Virginia, custom-designed for a wealthy bachelor. The residence, built by the Galileo Group, features two stories, a walkout basement, and extensive grounds, meticulously planned to offer both grand entertaining spaces and comfortable living for a single occupant. The design team included landscape architect Joseph Richardson and interior designer Martha Vicas, who collaborated to create a warm and sophisticated environment. The exterior of the property is marked by a curved drive, a grove of river birches, and a manicured lawn, leading to a large parking court. This 50-by-75-foot concrete paver court, capable of accommodating seven to eight guest vehicles, complements the stucco-and-Pennsylvania-stone house and provides easy access to an adjacent state-of-the-art garage. The garage, connected to the main house via a breezeway, houses a rotating collection of exotic cars, emphasizing the homeowner's passion for automobiles. Inside, the home’s material palette is largely neutral, incorporating creams and browns, with strategic pops of red and blue. Vicas focused on creating a warm contemporary aesthetic through design elements like rift-and-quartered pickled white oak floors and espresso-stained white oak custom built-ins. These built-ins include cabinetry on either side of a two-faced fireplace, which serves both the living area and the homeowner’s office. Upon entering, a live-edge shelf functions as an entry table. To the right, a custom-designed cantilevered steel-and-glass staircase with walnut treads leads to the cave-like master suite, which is distinguished by a menswear-inspired wool-felt wall covering. To the left, the main living area, encompassing the sitting, kitchen, and dining spaces, follows an open-plan layout, with glass doors connecting directly to an upper terrace. Despite the home's size, Vicas carefully designed intimate areas within the open floor plan. The seating area, for instance, is defined by a custom wool rug, a large sectional, and cream-upholstered armchairs, with minimalistic hexagonal light fixtures overhead. Comfort was a priority for the homeowner, leading to the selection of lounge-style furniture and easy-to-care-for indoor-outdoor fabrics, ensuring durability against spills. The kitchen is equipped for extensive entertaining, featuring an oversized island with a quartzite counter and a blue base, complemented by faux leather bar stools. The backsplash incorporates handmade ceramic tiles with an irregular, raised geometric pattern. Custom-designed, hand-knotted area rugs from Nepal, often featuring bold abstract patterns, add unique character throughout the home. A notable example is the dining area carpet, with its ikat feathering in multiple colors, while a textural bamboo wall finish above the built-in bar acts as a striking design feature. Exterior gathering spaces at the rear of the house are designed for entertaining, including upper and lower terraces for seating and dining. The backyard features a 750-square-foot putting green bordered by low-maintenance grasses, and a swimming pool with an extra-wide deck. The pool, custom-designed with a submerged spa, automatic cover, and color-changing LED lights, is finished in ‘Ocean Blue’ by Pebble Technology International, with cabanas and chaise lounges by Janus et Cie. While the upper terrace is paved with Pennsylvania bluestone, the lower terrace and pool deck utilize porcelain tile, chosen for its refined appearance and cooler temperature compared to natural stone. The walkout basement extends the home's entertainment capabilities, opening directly into the backyard. This multipurpose space includes a tequila bar, a TV room, a golf simulator, and a well-equipped gym, offering diverse options for both social gatherings and solitary activities. The comprehensive design ensures the home is a luxurious and functional retreat. #McLeanHome #LuxuryRealEstate #BachelorPad #ContemporaryDesign #InteriorDesign #LandscapeArchitecture #ExoticCars #SmartHome #EntertainingSpace