Grab a seat

The upholstered banquette has come back, and it looks great in breakfast areas, especially paired with a rectangular glass-top table. And designers are placing window seats at the end of a hallway with a mirror or window above, in the gallery library or in bedrooms under windows and in game rooms. Plush upholstery and pillows conceal hidden storage space under the seat. Shown here, the Temora model at Teal Creek in the Country Club at Lakewood Ranch, by John Cannon Homes. 

Take a dip

The new creatively shaped swimming pools are the centerpiece for a whole outdoor aquatic room that includes spa, fountains, landscaping, sculpture and furniture, some of it right in the pool. This area is designed with several levels, each plane devoted to some relaxation activity.

Stir up the Stove

The focal point of the new kitchen is a regal, deep niche that frames the commercial-grade gas drop-in stovetop. Behind the range is a stunning backsplash, and above is a hood custom crafted of glass, stone, metal or decorative tile.

Have a Sip

Wine collecting is a rising trend. The new wine room can be dimly lit, beautifully appointed and big enough for tastings with a small group of friends. Some feature stained-glass or wrought doors, costly racking systems and state-of-the-art cooling units.