Santa Fe, open-air adobe home — Sharon Ettinger-Mclaughlin and Don Mclaughlin hired architect Jon Dick to help them design their 5,500-square-foot home, which sits on 3.3 acres of land in Santa Fe. With the use of adobe, they created an open, airy home that houses their art collection and their love of Southwest-style architecture.

With 20-foot high ceilings, their 800-square-foot hall entryway highlights a water feature called an "acequia" that runs the length of the entrance. Native American rugs, artwork and "nichos" add to the unique design feature of their circular living room. Sharon wanted the living room and fireplace to call to mind the traditional Native American feature of the "kiva," a religious building that is used to celebrate traditions.

Beams from a railroad trestle helped in the construction of the ceiling and reclaimed lumber finished off the look. Adjacent to the home is a 600-square-foot guesthouse that features a sleeping area, living room and full kitchen and is decorated with art pieces from Africa and photographs from the Mclaughlin's travels. Featured furnishings are listed below.

• hand-carved front door, $2,000, find similar doors at Laughing Sun, 303-670-1445, www.handcarveddoors.com or Cornelius Enterprises, 303-463-0236, www.richdoor.com
  
• fireplace screen, $3,000, find similar screens at Brookstone, 866-576-7337 or Home Decorator's Collection, 877-537-8539, www.homedecorators.com
  
• ceiling beams, reclaimed lumber, find similar lumber at www.materialsunlimited.com or www.oldhouseparts.com
  
• bathtub, $1,200, Pearl Baths, Inc., 800-328-2531, www.pearlbaths.com
  
• coffee table, $500, find drums similar to ones made into coffee table at www.livingdrums.com
  
• African mirror,$400, find similar item at www.galleriaafricana.com or www.ashantiorigins.com

  Purchasing information for the following items is not available:

  blue clay pots, made in Vietnam, $100 each

California hillside getaway — After many years of living in rentals and townhomes, Jackie and David Naiditch decided to build a modern sanctuary that soothes them with spectacular views — with the help of their architect, Dean Nota. The four-level home sits 1,700 feet above sea level and is 2,700 square feet.

The structure incorporates steel, cinder blocks and black slate in its design. The living room has 16-foot high walls of glass that allow an obstructed view of the mountains to the left and the city to the right. In keeping with the open floor plan, there are only two internal doors and the furniture is modern. Featured furnishings are listed below

• wire-backed chairs, $500 each, Harry Bertoia Studio, 610-845-7096, www.bertoiastudio.com
  
• jacuzzi tub, $2,000, Whirlpool, www.whirlpool.com
  
• George Nelson couch, $8,000, Herman Miller, 888-443-4357, www.hermanmiller.com
  
• Charles Eames leather chair, $2,000, Herman Miller, 888-443-4357, www.hermanmiller.com

  Purchasing information for the following items is not available:

  Italian glass coffee table, $1,000
  limestone countertop, $2,000
  Bob Josten dining table, $900
  Noguchi coffee table, $1,200