Cooking Light FitHouse 2005

Masterful Haven

Soothing colors and quieting materials line the posh master bedroom suite on the second floor. The bed features organic, Irish linens, which coordinate with curtains made of the same fabric. The firm mattress has an allergen-resistant top that can easily be removed for washing. Asian-inspired trunks make great nightstands, and they're deep enough to hold extra blankets and pillows. Over the nightstands, Britt opted to mount pendant lights from the ceiling. "The result is targeted light that's perfect for reading in bed," Britt says. And since the lights are on dimmers, one person can read without waking a sleeping partner. The square mirror reflects light from the window, which overlooks the garden.

Cleansing Experience

An integral part of the suite, the master bath continues the restful theme. Slip into the air-jetted tub, and enjoy the benefits of chromatherapy―the use of color to change your mood―via a digital dial that controls lights lining the tub. Inside the shower stall, body jets provide massaging action that duplicates the spa experience, and a handheld showerhead makes rinsing off and cleaning the shower easy. White porcelain gleams against the dark wood cabinetry.

In Good Company

One wall of the guestroom is hung with lined, organic silk curtains. "They're heavy enough to quiet the room and block sound from the adjoining rooms, and they lend a rich, luxurious quality to the space," Britt says. And the silk's subtle gleam is a rich-looking backdrop for the wood-framed bed. A flight of pillows in silk and other high-touch materials keep that bed looking beautiful between visitors. A pair of wood-and-metal nightstands can easily be transported to other rooms of the house and pressed into duty as side tables whenever they're needed.

Harmony Helps

The highlight of the guest bathroom is a sink made of Texas mesquite with a copper dome that gives water a cascading effect. The base is hand-forged from recycled wrought iron. The wall color mimics the copper. "Duplicating colors creates visual continuity and helps to move your eye though the room," Britt says. Open shelving makes towels accessible and provides display space. The slate-tiled shower walls turn a quick rinse into a closer-to-nature experience.

Exercise Right

The views through two walls of windows in the second-floor exercise room take in the Verde Trails on one side, the backyard and meditation space on the other. Codesigned by Britt and Cooking Light fitness expert Gin Miller, this suite features a range of equipment, including a recumbent bike and a weight-training system with electronic resistance that adjusts in one-pound increments to accommodate various fitness levels. A mat in the center of the room stretches out for yoga, pilates, and other floorwork. The stair-step design of the wood storage unit is inspired by traditional Japanese tansu cabinetry and maximizes space without clutter. It easily accommodates weights, jump ropes, fitness dvds, a cooling fan, and other must-haves for any home gym, Miller says.

Airy Corner

Whether the goal is backyard bird-watching or enjoying a golden sunset, this loggia provides a prime vantage point. Natural rattan chairs made from banana leaves are wide enough to stretch out on while enjoying a Texas-sized iced tea. "Today's patio furniture is made to look and feel as comfortable as indoor options," Britt says. Recycled steel planters hold sedum and agave, plants that require little watering and maintenance.

Daily Refuge

The deck in the outdoor meditation space is made from reclaimed wood and plastic. Native plants in the landscape sweeten the air. The stylish folding chairs and side table are reclaimed, too, made from the staves of old oak wine barrels.