Designer's dream in Dallas — When Marcus and Portia Ingram couldn't find a home that they wanted to buy, they decided to design and build their own. They created a 2,000-square-foot home that sits on 1/4-acre of land, perfect for their family of four. Marcus, an engineer, used his electrical experience to design the entertainment center and built a special hidden closet to house the wires, timers and remote access boxes. Portia used her designer's background to fill the home with stylish décor, all the while making sure the interior would function for the whole family.

• Tuffet stools, $700 — Krohn Design, 323-848-9696, www.krohndesign.com
  
• Eurway coffee table, $350 — Eurway Innovative Furniture, 512-835-4006, www.eurway.com
  
• China cabinet, $700 — Rooms to Go, 800-766-6786, www.roomstogo.com
  
• alpha lighting, $65 each — Alpha Lighting, 925-945-8690, www.alphalighting.com
  
• dining table, $200 — Rooms to Go, 800-766-6786, www.roomstogo.com
  
• Panasonic microwave, $100 — Panasonic Consumer Electronics, www.panasonic.com
  
• Z Gallerie bed, $500 — Z Gallerie, 800-358-8288, www.zgallerie.com
  
• Pioneer flat screen TV, $8,000 — Pioneer, 800-872-4159, www.pioneerelectronics.com
  
• black leather couch, $1,700 — Plummers Design, 310-837-0138/ Bova Contemporary Furniture, 972-620-1367
  
• red leather chair and ottoman, $2,500 — Cantoni, 972-934-9191, www.cantoni.com
  
• black granite tile fireplace, $7 per square foot — Euromarble, www.euromarbleitaly.com

  Purchasing information for the following items is not available:

  red leather chair and ottoman, $2,500
  leather couch, $4,265
  storehouse rug, $175
  custom built entertainment center, $3,000

Venice syndecrete sanctuary — Twenty years ago, David Hertz created a material called "syndecrete"; it's made from cement and minerals using 41 percent recycled materials. Impressed with its durability, David and his wife Stacy Fong built their 3,600 solar-heated square foot home out of this material. In true California style, they created an airy, flowing contemporary home that's as family-friendly as environmentally-friendly. While the interior is open with only three doors, they have created additional living space on the roof consisting of a Jacuzzi with ample seating, a greenhouse that houses Stacy's collection of orchids and a putting green that the Hertz-Fong's three children enjoy.

• Syndecrete dining room table, $15,000 — Syndesis, Inc., www.syndesisinc.com
  
• Viking "Designer Series" trash compactor, $1,500 — Viking Range Corp., 662-455-1200, www.vikingrange.com
  
• The Womb Chair, $1,800 &$151; Scandinavian Design, www.scandinaviandesign.com
  
• Tuffnet stools, $700 — Krohn Design, 323-848-9696, www.krohndesign.com
  
• golf cage, $700 — Action Golf, 800-580-0307, www.actiongolf.com
  
• aluminum greenhouse, $2,000 — The Greatest Gift, 309-344-4820

  Purchasing information for the following items is not available:

  custom designed bed, $2,000
  rooftop Jacuzzi, $5,000

Conyers, Georgia architectural achievement — And finally, we go to Conyers, Georgia and meet Boye and Laurie Akinola. Boye Akinola is one of Atlanta's top African-American architects, and after years of building other peoples homes, he finally built his dream — a modern, colonial residence. This family-friendly home is 6,400 square feet (including the basement) and has a two-story foyer, tray ceilings, an art collection imported from Nigeria and a wonderful screened-in porch. To enhance the relaxing atmosphere of their master suite, Boye installed a two-way fireplace from the bedroom into the master bathroom.

• leather couch, $4,265 — W. Schilling, 336-884-0286
  
• cherry wood bed, $1,100 — Alf Furnishings, 310-815-1001, www.alf.it

  Purchasing information for the following items is not available:

  interior style dining set, $1,000
  taupe chairs, $950 each
  innovations chair, $650

Additional Resources

www.ikea-usa.com
www.furniture.com
www.bestbuy.com
www.sportchalet.com