Sense of Balance: Creating a Luxurious and Livable Home

Efficiency and comfort are the hallmarks of a truly inviting space. When well executed, these elements work in harmony, creating environments that simply feel right. Such is the case in this striking contemporary home, a project by Ruth Ann Scott of The Living Dooropens in a new tab. Anchored by a sophisticated palette of black, white, and gold, the interiors are anything but ordinary—elevated yet effortlessly welcoming.

Designed for a couple who loves to entertain, the home’s lower level is all about connection. A sleek entertainment space features a bar with a pass-through window to an outdoor living area and views of the pool.

“The countertop is very long,” Scott says, “so I wanted to break it up and also bring the eye to the center, where the window opens to the outside. I went with a gray Cambria quartz [design] on the [countertop] ends and Cambria Harlow in the middle, which I think gives a river effect, flowing to the outside.”

The main level kitchen continues the theme of functionality and flair. Double islands—one for storage and appliances, the other for seating—are topped with Cambria’s Inverness Platinum and paired with Cambria’s Mammoth Cave (both in a matte finish) along the perimeter. Fluted island ends and a 4-inch-high perimeter backsplash enhance the space’s visual rhythm, while more neutral wallpaper and wood cabinetry provide contrast. “Cambria in the kitchen is a no-brainer to me,” says Scott. “It’s the best product for durability and cleaning, and I chose Inverness Platinum for its sculpted veins, and Mammoth Cave to tie into the dark island bases.”

A dramatic fireplace feature infuses character into the open-concept living room. It’s crafted with painted wood slats and Cambria’s Woodcroft with its ebony surface shot through with glints of gold veins. Ingeniously, the fireplace conceals a hidden door to the primary suite. The suite’s tranquil aesthetic then flows into an adjoining bath, where Cambria’s Oakleigh design imbues the shower with subtle drama.

For Scott, collaboration is key: “I strive to make the process the best experience my clients could ever have,” she says. “Designs come and go, but relationships last forever.”