When one looks at thousands of houses over the course of a year, poring over listing photo galleries with almost Talmudic concentration, they can begin to run together. Then there are homes that stand out, often for all the wrong reasons, but occasionally for good ones: excellent decor, riveting architecture, or something hard to define that we'll just go ahead and call "soul." Here are the most beautiful U.S. homes put on the market in 2014; not necessarily the biggest, or the grandest, or the most expensive, but the ones that stuck with us.

A short run-down of our qualifications: said homes had to be beautiful and well-photographed inside and out (see the honorable mentions for homes that failed either category but were still quite nice). Only detached homes were considered, which means we left apartments, condos, and townhouses off the table, and didn't touch anything in New York City, which is just as well, because our colleagues at Curbed NY came up with this awesome list.

Location: Austin, Texas Price: $4,500,000 A home that has received multiple additions from differing architects over the course of 35 years has no right to expect to remain a cohesive, pleasing whole, but this Austin showpiece manages the trick, in no small part because of the excellent landscaping by owners James David and Gary Peese.

Location: Los Angeles, California Sold For: $6,250,000 Gah, Andy Samberg and Joanna Newsom's new(ish) home. They bought Moorcrestthe famed 1920s house where Mary Astor and Charlie Chaplin once livedin an off-market deal, so technically it shouldn't even be on this list. Whatever, what a dream palace, here it shall stay.

Location: Rancho Mirage, California Price: $2,300,000 This landmarked example of what one Curbed commenter called "pristine MCM at its classiest and finest" was commissioned by pioneering radiology cancer surgeon Henry L. Jaffe from architect William F. Cody, on land he bought from his patient, Groucho Marx.

Location: Palm Springs, California Price: $2,195,000 Clark Gable's all-pink Palm Springs home is almost as studly as he was.

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Year in Curbed 2014: The Hands-Down Most Beautiful Houses for Sale in 2014

The call for a spa-like space seems to repeat itself in the bath design industry lately, but a true retreat results from more than calming aesthetics.

View this bath gallery here.

To me, a spa-like space is a room with clean lines and a place for everything, said designer Roxanne Kopelcheck of Hamlet, N.C.-based Ritz-Craft Custom Homes.

The foundation of the retreat began with an open space that includes a separate soaking tub and walk-in shower. Lined with tile on the floors and walls, the easily maintained shower offers a built-in shampoo niche, a corner bench seat, a rain-style showerhead and a hand-held showerhead.

Plus, there is no shower door to clean, added Kopelcheck. Homeowners can forget the agony of endlessly scrubbing away at hard water stains.

North Carolinas sandy coast inspires the shower tiles tan tones, while white painted maple cabinets and faux granite countertops contribute to the overall neutral palette.

The challenge with this design was making a large space feel intimate, said Kopelcheck. However, we were able to accomplish a cozy atmosphere by placing elements on each wall of the room and by utilizing gray tones mixed with tan and cream accents.

Another challenge for this design was staying on budget. By using a mix of high-end finishes and price point materials, the team created the ideal design without pressing the original cost. High-end, drop-in, square-bowl porcelain sinks are countered by price point countertops, and the open storage design for the cabinetry also saved money by reducing the total amount of wood needed in construction.

Even though the team saved on the wood used overall, the bathroom still boasts two separate and spacious vanities.

The reason for two vanities was pretty simple there always tends to be one spouse who requires more space than the other, said Kopelcheck. Splitting the vanities and putting them on opposite walls gives each person their own space and helps reduce those cranky morning exchanges.

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Stress-Free Space

Vanity tops must play the dual role of being durable and capable of standing up to water, soap, cosmetics while serving as an ample work surface for morning rush hour in the bathroom. This is no place for delicate, porous (read: easy-to-stain) surfaces. At the same time, the vanity top can be a focal point and a connecting point, where wood cabinets below meet tile wall above, for instance.

The surface you choose for that countertop depends largely on your budget and taste.

Granite and marble. In a master bath, it pays to install granite or marble, which attract buyers at resale and give the vanity top a rich, sleek look. And with affordable grades of granite available on the market today, you dont have to empty your wallet for this feature. You will, of course, spend more on granite than laminate, but the result is a surface that can handle heat and wear. Be advised: granite must be sealed to repel grease (which you could run into in hair products and such). Marble stains easily, while granite stands up to most stains.

Solid surface. Quartzite materials are incredibly durable and low-maintenance. Scratches are easily buffed out with fine-grade sandpaper, and the surface can handle high heat (curling irons and all). The cost is comparable to granite and marble.

Laminate. Economical and available in a range of finishes (including those that look like solid surface or granite), laminate is a go-to vanity top material because of its versatility. It stands up to water and is relatively stain-proof, but it will burn, dull and dent.

Tile. The downside of tile countertops is the maintenance: Grout lines inevitably trap gunk. But tile can be laid in a pattern, it comes in a vast array of colors (ceramic) and finishes (natural), and the artistic detail that can be applied makes this a surface worth considering.

Wood. Wood vanity tops must be well sealed because these porous surfaces are susceptible to water damagerot, that is. This is mainly a concern in seams where sinks and faucet fixtures are installed. However, wood offers a warm, inviting feel and an organic look if a butcher-block type counter is used. Keep in mind this is thicker in width and, according to the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA), you might need to modify plumbing connections.

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Choosing Bathroom Countertops | Bathroom Design - Choose ...

A favorite during the groovy 1960s and 70s, laminate kitchen countertops are enjoying a second wind as an affordable, durable, moisture-proof, and surprisingly attractive replacement for your homes worn kitchen countertops.

Shop around and youll find a nearly unlimited selection of richly colored solids, midcentury patterns, and enticing-to-touch textures. They mimic:

What is Laminate?

Laminates are made with layers of paper, including a decorative layer, and melamine resin. Generally, the thicker the product, the more durable and costly itll be. Higher-end laminates offer 10-year warranties. Fancy edge treatments beveling, ogees, and bullnose kick up the costs, too.

In the past, laminate kitchen countertops looked like poor copies of materials, such as wood and stone, because reproduction qualities were poor, and the finished product depended on a repeating pattern about 18 inches wide.

Today, advanced photographic technology creates laminates that look more like the real thing, and unique patterns can be up to 5 feet wide wide enough to create an entire granite kitchen island with no repeating pattern.

Also these days, laminates are made with some percentage of recycled materials, such as FSC-certified wood wood thats harvested sustainably.

Quick Cost Comparison

In general, laminate kitchen countertops are your least expensive option. Compare the costs with other countertop materials, as shown for an average kitchen with 30 linear feet of countertops, installed:

Will Laminate Last?

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Stone countertops have a solid beauty that's ageless and crosses all style boundaries. Whether you're an ardent traditionalist, love the charm and ease of country living, or prefer lean and clean urban contemporary, chances are that stone will enter into your design scheme in some form.

Lighting, cabinetry and flooring are all important in the kitchen, but many designers say countertops often create the wow factor. Surfaces such as granite, quartz and Corian have eclipsed economical laminate, and homeowners looking for something even more exotic can opt for soapstone countertops, marble and limestone. Here's a look at some of the options:

Granite's durability and beauty are the main reasons for its appeal. Granite is available from sources as diverse as China, India and Quebec. The color selection is virtually unlimited. The price of granite is determined mainly by its coloring and patterning.

Granite is porous, and depending on wear, it should be periodically resealed. Stains should be wiped up promptly.

Natural quartz products are composed of more than 90 percent quartz, which is 10 times harder than granite and mixed with a resin. They're nonporous, and many come with a 10-year installed warranty. And for those who may not appreciate the often-inconsistent patterning of granite, quartz is extremely continuous, with no dramatic variations in color or pattern.

While quartz does have seams where pieces are joined, it doesn't have to be sealed and just requires a periodic wipe-down with soapy water. Cosentino's Silestone line has introduced a selection of quartz products with built-in Microban, antibacterial product protection that deters growth of bacteria, mold and fungi.

Soapstone, which comes from Finland, China and Brazil, is quarried like granite and quartz and is composed primarily of magnesite, dolomite, chlorite and talc. It's anywhere from 300 to 400 million years old, and the talc gives it a soft, warm appearance and touch.

Because it's nonporous, it's completely resistant to bacteria growth. It was originally used for masonry heaters and is used for countertops in forensic and science labs because it's impervious to virtually any type of chemical. No sealing is required, so a hot pan can be placed directly on it, and the surface can be used for dough preparation.

For the first month, soapstone should be periodically rubbed with mineral oil to bring out the beauty of the stone and its marbling. Matching sinks can be created, and it can be used as a backsplash or as flooring. Unlike granite or quartz, soapstone doesn't require the extra cost of installing a substrate (countertop support such as a subfloor).

Reprinted with permission from NKBA

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Granite, Quartz and Soapstone Countertops | Kitchen ...

Granite - Silestone - Corian - Quartz - Marble - Travertine

Dreaming of new countertops to refresh and restyle your bathroom or kitchen design?

Looking for detailed information to learn about all the options, features, pros and cons of the many different types of countertops for your bathroom or kitchen remodeling project?

How about floor tile... a kitchen backsplash... or outdoor kitchen?

Or countertop care & cleaning advice?

Well, you're at the right place... It's all here!

Choosing the best countertop for your project is a big deal. It's fun and exciting!

The right choice will... (keep reading below...)

update your style, enhance entertaining, improve the function of your kitchen or bath, provide years of enjoyment and add significant value to your home.

However, it can be a challenge to sort out all the incomplete, inconsistent, conflicting and confusing information circulating online and elsewhere regarding the features, benefits, performance, installation, cleaning and maintenance of the various counter top materials.

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House For Sale In Grandville MI With Granite Countertops
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Home For Sale Grandville 5 Bedroom 3 1/2 Bathroom with Granite Countertops
http://GrandRapidsHomeExpert.com. Home For Sale Grandville 5 Bedroom 3 1/2 Bathroom with Granite Countertops. This lovely home is located in Summerset, which is one of West Michigan #39;s premier.

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Home For Sale Grandville 5 Bedroom 3 1/2 Bathroom with Granite Countertops - Video

Grandville Home For Sale 5 BR 3 1/2 BA Granite Countertops
http://GrandRapidsHomeExpert.com. Grandville Home For Sale 5 BR 3 1/2 BA Granite Countertops. Executive Home For Sale! This lovely home is located in Summerset, which is one of West Michigan #39;s ...

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