James Stork and Joe Henry’s Cedar Lawn home brings a little slice of Miami’s South Beach style to the island. Colorful Murano glass spears, left, create an airy divider between the foyer and the dining room, which features a large, antique model airplane as part of a sculpture by Houston artist Matt Messinger. Photo by Jennifer Reynolds

Don and Sandy Gartman sit in the living room of their Dickinson home. The open-concept living area provides plenty of elbow room for family and friends when the Gartmans entertain. Photo by Stuart Villanueva

Frank Tamborella’s nearly 4,000-square-foot Nassau Bay home features a panoramic view of Clear Lake with decks surrounding all four floors. Photo by Karin Gaylor Photography

Elizabeth Whelan sits with her daughters, Catherine, left, and Victoria and their dog Hope in their Seabrook home. Elizabeth and her husband, David, have incorporated a homey atmosphere in the seaside house that includes many personal touches. Photo by Stuart Villanueva

Ellie Peters loves lots of light, fresh flowers and bright colors, as shown in the living room of her house. The room contains Peters’ most prized item: a doll house built by her grandfather. “It is an exact to-scale copy of the house I grew up in,” she said. Photo by Robert Mihovil

The Kemah home of Mike Tindall and Jennifer Stevenson features natural light combined with a surfer vibe. Photo by Stuart Villanueva