Where we choose to settle, what we build, and how our homes feel inside and out are all expressions of who we are. The best houses are about people, and Creating the Inspired House chronicles the stories of memorable characters immersed in the search for a place they can call home. With over 300 color photographs, this book takes readers on a cross-country tour of over 20 inspired homes -- large and small, new and remodeled -- with the very homeowners, architects, and builders who collaborated on their creation. Each of the houses is shaped by the owners' personal passions, and it's those passions that breathe life into the design of their homes, creating an "inspired house." The inspirations for these houses are as varied as the people who live in them, and the stories are as enthralling as gossip. In this collection of fascinating stories, readers will find the encouragement to believe and act on their own personal dreams ... and build accordingly.