When media consultants Hilary Rosen and Elizabeth Birch first saw their 6,000-square-foot Washington, D.C. trilevel, the spec-built house was under construction and they didn't like its style. Enter designer Nestor Santa-Cruz, a partner at SKB Architecture and Design, who's known for his clean, modern interiors. Beyond structural changes, Nestor upgraded construction details such as hardware and flooring, to make the house reflect Hilary and Elizabeth's taste. The result is a space that's as welcoming as the people who live in it.

See how simple touches can give a house a custom feel.