Self Service

Spaces and places to relax and recharge - Plus, how to create them.

BY LAURA FURR MERICAS

WHATEVER THE LOCATION, style, or size, home has always been a place to find respite, kick up your feet, and escape from the outside world. But this year has forced many of us to stretch our homes and our time spent in them to the limits. With more rooms and niches devoted to the needs of teleworking or home schooling, spaces to regroup and rejuvenate have become a precious resource to be preserved and protected. This winter, find inspiration from three stunning properties on how to make space just for you (or you and your crew)—and reclaim the simple joys of staying in.

book resort

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON

FRESH AIR AND sunshine breathe life into our homes and hearts, and a connection to simpler times can foster a sense of peace and well-being. So a reading nook, like this one in the Capitol Hill neighborhood, is an ideal spot for these hectic times.

The eastern corner of the 1921 Spanish Revival home boasts floor-to-ceiling arched windows that pour a glorious morning glow into the space, plus a plated glass door that extends the indoor-outdoor connection from the shady terrazzo-tiled terrace through to the entire first-floor living area. Original oak hardwoods and chunky trim combine with the verdant backdrop of neighboring Interlaken Park to give the room a rare, airy-but-grounded balance in the daytime, while historic brass sconces add warmth come sunset.

Elsewhere in the expansive home, a card room, a rooftop deck, and a full-size, basement-level ballroom have been maintained throughout the years per the original owner’s socialite standards. But when the guests head home—or if they never came at all—this charming enclave is the perfect place to settle in and spend some time with a good book, the views, or just your thoughts.

field of vision

GRANITE BAY, CALIFORNIA

THIS MODERN FARMHOUSE has traded the pastures for a pool and livestock for laid-back luxury. With areas to bask in the sun or bundle up by the fire, it’s a serene setting in any season to escape the mundane without leaving behind the comforts of home.

Tucked away on a half-acre lot at the back of a secluded cul-de-sac, the yard and patio of this already 3,500-square-foot home add to the usable living space. The covered and screened patio flows off the indoor great room and is complete with a stone-clad outdoor kitchen, comfy seating, and a long dining table for a not-so-average meal in. The lapping waterfall from the nearby pool radiates calm, and the crackling of the honed concrete fireplace beneath the gorgeous old-growth Douglas fir ceiling adds to the feeling of a woodsy retreat.

Steps away, beyond the plush lawn, is a second sitting area and cozy fire pit. Here, weary quarantiners can bask in the simple pleasure of lounging with their loved ones—and maybe even enjoying a toasty s’more (or two) under the stars.

parks & rest

ST. GEORGE, UTAH

SPLENDOR AND SERENITY are on full display at this modern home with views of the region’s natural beauty that will stop inhabitants in their tracks and force a change in perspective.

Disappearing windows showcase sight lines of protected, expansive land on the outskirts of Zion National Park along the eastern front of the 5,000-square-foot home, including in the sleek owner’s suite. Here, the near-wraparound views are interrupted only by a veined stoneslab fireplace that pulls the rich hues from the red rock landscape into the sleeping quarters. Luxury carries through to the refined master bath, where limestone floors, back-lit mirrors, a spacious walk-in shower, and a giant soaking tub allow for an at-home glamping experience unlike any other.

Elsewhere on the property—situated at the back of the high-end The Reserve at Entrada community—lap and infinity pools, a rooftop deck, and an open kitchen-living concept offer the same majestic vistas of the mountain range in the distance, while a water feature weaves from the outside in to add another layer of tranquility and connection to the striking natural environment. Still, when your eyes feel heavy or you simply need a reprieve from life’s daily tasks, this home’s dreamy master suite offers unmatched refuge. Morning, noon, or night, time spent in bed has never felt, or looked, this good.