Mediterranean Homes & Lifestyles

The best memories are often forged from the simplest of things: the smell of the air on a crisp autumn morning, the aroma of a favorite meal lovingly prepared and slowly savored, the laughter of friends gathered around a table, the beauty of an abundant garden. All these converge at the idyllic hilltop home of Michelle VanBoxtel and Mac Mackrovitch (“Table on the Hill,” page 58), where good friends, mouthwatering food, and breathtaking views are the order of the day. Our team traveled to the VanBoxtel- Mackrovitch home in California overlooking the Pacific Ocean and the Brisa del Mar Vineyards to capture the enchantment of the limestone-clad house and we never wanted to leave. Which is just the way Michelle and Mac intended it. Although the two love to travel,…

Light Makeover A couple put a traditional spin on a contemporary California home, ushering in views and easy indoor-out living. TraditionalHome.com/EasyElegance Romantic Renovation Dramatic before and after images showcase how an El Paso, Texas, home tapped into character by lightening up. TraditionalHome.com/DesertMagic Travel Notes Visit the Kinsterna Hotel in Greece, where guests stay in a 13th-century villa while soaking in views of the Aegean Sea. TraditionalHome.com/GreekGetaway…

Tile Embroidered Pillow UV-resistant fabric means this pillow works indoors and outdoors. $35; pier1.com Eclectic Floor Mat Cover a less-than-perfect kitchen floor with this vinyl mat. $120; nathanandco.com Portuguese Tile Platter The classic Iberian tile scheme feels refreshingly modern in this porcelain platter. $70.92; zazzle.com Geometric Patterned Notecards Traditional mosaics are translated to paper. $25 for five; farandwidecollective.com Mandala Wallpaper A Moorish-inspired pattern gives old-world detail to a basic interior. $225 per roll; newwall.com Yessa Watercolor Sham Set A painterly take on a tile print features on-trend indigo. $39 for two; urbanoutfitters.com…

HUMMUS START TO FINISH: 15 MINUTES1 15- to 16-oz. can chickpeas (garbanzo beans), rinsed and drained¼ cup tahini¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice¼ cup olive oil½ tsp. salt¼ tsp. paprika1 clove garlic, minced1 Tbsp. snipped fresh parsley2 to 3 tsp. olive oil (optional) Toasted pita wedges and/or assorted vegetable dippers 1. In a food processor combine the first seven ingredients (through garlic). Cover and process or blend about 4 minutes or until smooth, stopping and scraping sides as necessary. 2. Transfer hummus to a small serving bowl. Sprinkle with parsley. If desired, drizzle with 2 to 3 tsp. olive oil. Serve with pita wedges and/or vegetable dippers. Makes 1¾ cups. CAULIFLOWER & HARISSA HUMMUS In a medium saucepan cook 2 cups cauliflower florets, covered, in a small amount of boiling…

Interior designer Mary Margaret Vasquez is the kind of host who makes sure she has fresh croissants waiting when visitors arrive, and she keeps her kitchen windowsill overflowing with potted herbs, so she can quickly snip a few sprigs to add freshness to any dish. In short, Mary Margaret’s entertaining style—as well as her decorating style—is fresh and welcoming. Her 3,500-square-foot residence in Winter Park, Florida, is home to a warm blend of worldly and time-traveled collections. As the daughter of an artist and antiques dealer, Mary Margaret often travels abroad in search of unique treasures, and together with her husband, Gary, who has Mexican roots, she has a thirst for immersing herself in other cultures. Furnishings and objets d’art, both antique and new, gathered by the couple happily mingle…

Four chimneys resembling towers rise in the distance, echoing the peaks of the mountains visible on the horizon of the Arizona desert. Sunlight intensifies the richness of their claytile tops. Architect Erik Peterson has driven this winding road near Phoenix countless times, and the view always inspires him. The chimneys belong to a one-of-a-kind estate created by Peterson that includes a sprawling stucco home, a towering guesthouse dubbed “The Barn,” and a four-story structure that mimics an old grain tower. When Peterson pulls into the drive, he’s taken back to those days, years ago, when he traveled to southern France while studying abroad in college. The structures he nestled into the hillside emulate the look and feel of a hardworking French farmstead. Desert scrub blows in a gentle breeze. Pea…