In the 20 years this home took to design and build, the architecture and technology become more modern.

In 1987, the owner purchased 42 acres to grow citrus in an agricultural community north of Los Angeles. Postmodern architecture was all the rage, so the owner hired Zoltan E. Pali to design a Georgianstyle residence.

The young architect, a disciple of the Case Study modernists, was just starting out on his own.

In the 20 years between the original drawings and full completion, both men, and the home, evolved in a variety of ways.

A complete interior update of an Old-World estate satisfies the owners’ request for fresh, cutting-edge design and a choice of entertainment venues.

What is a sleek, contemporary interior design doing within a 1920s English manor home?

According to its owners, it’s doing very well, thank you. While the exterior of this home presents a stately and elegant first impression, the interiors have transformed this venerable estate home into the ultimate modern residence with 21st-century cool decor that’s fully compatible with the family’s active lifestyle.

Skipping the flash, this theater goes for clean looks and high performance.

When this Florida homeowner was looking to convert his TV room into a full-on home cinema, he turned to Advanced Audio Design in Sarasota.

The result is both elegant and stylishly simple.

A second-story addition that takes more than two years to complete includes a library, a home office, a bar/lounge and a kids’ play area—all which revolve around this grand home theater.

When you embark on an extensive second-story addition, everything can go wrong. And will. This story, however, is about how everything went right, thanks to masterful work conducted by First Impressions Theme Theatres.

A Miami businessman wants it all — minus the ostentation.

When the owner of a waterfront estate in Miami embarked on a three-year-plus building project that grew into a 12,000-square foot dream house, it was not with any desire to show off.

And though he wanted to furnish his new home with fine antiques, he didn’t want to live in a museum—or, for that matter, in an environment that made guests feel they had to pad around carefully in their socks.

A homeowner plans to renovate his Cape Cod-style home without adding a theater until his interior designer convinces him otherwise.

When building a home theater, the interior designer is usually considered the enemy. Often having a complete disregard for acoustical needs and the proper positioning of screen and sound.

Frilly flourishes here, fancy accents there—and don’t even think about visible speakers.

This private screening room, however, would not exist without the coaxing and cajoling of—surprise—the interior designer.

Hollywood Meets Palm Beach

Home theaters can be pretty grand, but this one, designed by First Impressions Themed Theatres Inc. is probably one of the grandest. 

This 13-seat theater, named "Cinema de la Mer," almost seems as if it could seat more and comes complete with a lobby, which in and of itself would make most people's jaws drop before they even saw the main room.

Home theater impresario Jeffrey Smith collaborates with his artistic daughter in creating a romantic, rustic “sky lodge” theme for her downtown Denver loft.

Growing up in the bluegrass countryside of Kentucky, Ashley Harper Smith became obsessed with nature. “I was never happier than when I was in the woods, horseback riding with my sister,” she recalls.

With her busy schedule, she yearns for those idyllic days. “I’ve always had this dream of living in a tree house surrounded by woods and nature and horses,” she says.

With the help of her father, Ashley is living her dream.

2008 Cedia Electronic Lifestyles Award Winner

Large Home Theater: Level V Silver Technical Design & Best Overall Winner

Electronic Systems Consultant: Pacific Audio & Communications—Kihei, Hawaii

The inherent risk in designing a home theater—a beautiful-looking space that produces the requisite oooohs and aaaahs—is ending up with a poorly performing room. Add the musthave of incorporating the same architectural detailing used throughout the rest of the home and the risk expands tenfold.

2008 Cedia Electronic Lifestyles Award Winner

Integrated home: Level V Silver Technical Design & Best Overall Winner

Electronic Systems Consultant: Baumeister Electronic Architects—Niles, Ill.

The architect of this home likes to use the word “purposeful” when describing the motivation behind its design. “It’s very purposeful with specific places for art,” says Mark Webber of Wheeler Kearns Architects. “There’s balance between the house, art and architecture.”