In ancient mythology, Aurora, the goddess of dawn, would dance across the sky announcing the arrival of the sun each day. An address on Aurora Lane, then, feels fitting for this one-of-a-kind home, which with its southern orientation and walls of glass revels sunlight from morning till night.

The perfect buoys for modern-day living, these five homes feature docks that offer access to all the delights of the water, whether it be a creek, a lake, or an ocean.

In desirable locales from East Coast to West, these inviting homes greet visitors with front doors that provide welcoming doses of cheerful eye-catching colour.

A rousing game of bocce—on a private court just steps from a home filled with sophisticated spaces and luxurious amenities—is the perfect way to pass some time alfresco during the last warm weeks of summer.

Water features have the ability to transform an ordinary property into something extraordinary—they become a locus for both drama and history. From idyllic ponds to antique fountains to entrancing infinity pools, an architectural water feature sets a striking scene, no matter if you’re in California or Paris. These four exceptional listings prove that a water statement is a powerful—and memorable—architectural move to make.

Fall’s the time for sweaters, apple cider, and scenic drives to enjoy fall foliage. In locales from West Coast to East, these estates offer private showings, allowing for appreciation of autumn’s colors without leaving home.

Fall heralds an unmatched refresh. Back-to-school excitement lingers and the season vibrates with a warm, soft potential that even New Year’s Eve can’t match. Now there is no frenzy, no internal guilt following summer’s long days that you must make the most of; just an efficient transition into a colourful new season.

Whether you’re looking to simply trim the deck with warm bulb lighting, add a new slope to your landscaping or rock garden, or linger in the private expanse of your beautiful backyard, here are some design tips to bring your home into autumn and refresh your outdoor space for fall.

Summer is in full swing, bringing with it long days, shimmering pools, cocktails, and lazy afternoons with the latest bestsellers. For the innovative homeowner, the pool patio can be so much more than a functional space for dripping on the concrete. From cozy furnishings to vivid foliage, here are some ideas to refresh your backyard and turn your major water feature into a fabulous oasis.

Beautiful residential gardens are the green equivalent of surround sound. They envelop, intensify, and enrich the very experience of being. It’s like an embrace from nature.

The opportunity to interact with the landscape provides homeowners with a sense of belonging. “The more personal, the more meaningful,” says Edward Furner, landscape designer and horticulturalist at Mariani Landscape in Lake Bluff, Ill. “Engaging in the landscape—that’s the ideal scenario where homeowners are reaping the biggest benefit.”

Pools with Views | They’re carved into rocks, they jut into oceans. They’re perched over cliffs, seemingly defying gravity.

Today’s swimming pools are wet, wild, and wondrous. Designers are going bold with new technologies and audacious ideas. Pools may function as extensions of one’s living spaces, but when builders sculpt backyard environments into dreamscapes, they carry homeowners off into the realm of fantasy.

Splendor in the Grass | Beautiful gardens are a border-blurring tapestry of strategic design, strong silhouettes, and thoughtful palettes. They elevate the architecture of a home as much as they enhance the lifestyle of its residents. Professional landscaping services in the U.S. alone is a multibillion-dollar industry. From backyards to balconies, and from classic gardens to modern vertical ones, these spaces allow homeowners to outwardly personalize their surroundings.

Natural Beauty | Ornamental grasses, lavender and echinacea sway with the breeze in the weathered-steel planter box fronting the work studio of landscape designer Joel Loblaw. The rusted metal’s warm orange, the earthy browns of fading perennials, errant red and gold fallen leaves — the planter is in sync with the season and it looks perfect, perfectly natural.

A versatile space that works as a living area, an outdoor entertainment zone and a home extension, a beautiful patio can increase the value of your home. It’s also one of the least expensive upgrades you can make. If your patio is older or suffering from some wear and tear, or if you’re adding a new patio, a few carefully planned upgrades can help elevate the look and feel of your whole home. Here are some tips to keep in mind.

Summer is in full swing, bringing with it long days, shimmering pools, cocktails, and lazy afternoons with the latest bestsellers. For the innovative homeowner, the pool patio can be so much more than a functional space for dripping on the concrete. From cozy furnishings to vivid foliage, here are some ideas to refresh your backyard and turn your major water feature into a fabulous oasis.