love this room," says the wife. "We love the openness and the wonderful view." Stripped oak-stained wood floors and white walls provide a neutral background. The two steps down enclosing the living room tie in with the cove lighting present in the drop in the ceiling. Because the lighting plays an inte- gral part in the house, the owners worked with lighting designer Gary Steffy. "We didn't want the light to dis- tort the artwork," says the owner. "The whole house takes on a different look in the evening. With the cove lighting in the ceiling and under the stairs in the living room, it becomes very dra- matic and beautiful and is an impor- tant part of the architecture." Facing each other in a conversation group on a gray Edward Fields rug are two Cumberland couches in a salmon mohair fabric by Isabel Scott. Two club chairs in a gray and salmon checked fabric face the fireplace. Sitting on the two wood and brass inlaid end tables are lamps by French designer Gae Aulenti in black metal, white plastic and brushed stainless polished chrome. The Gwathmey- Siegel square cocktail table with ebonized maple base is a combination of cherry and mahogany woods with brass inlays. "We've been here four years but haven't really gotten to accessories," explains the owner of her uncluttered tables. "Some of our things are put away because of the kids." The impressive fireplace of Andes black granite, oxidized copper, ham- mered brass and cherry wood was a combined effort of Mr. Goldburg and metalist Jim Starr. Wood panels on the side of the fireplace reveal hidden stor- age. The center of the fireplace reaches to the ceiling of the second story and is flanked by two ornate wrought iron pieces that the designer worked into the balcony railing. In front of the window overlooking the pool is a mahogany games table with taupe leather and wood chairs. A large African drum stands silently on the floor. On the side wall is a large contem- porary painting in black, gray and white by Robert Rauschenberg. Up two steps, the dining area flows out of the living room. A gray Edward Fields rug covers the floor, while cove lighting hangs above the dining table. On the fireplace wall is a collection of photos by Ellen Phelan. Two steel Corinthian columns the designer found in New York were placed on black lacquered circular pieces to serve as the base of the unique oval, glass-top dining room table. Taupe The spectacular pool area is dramatically enhanced by the archi- tectural columns and the lush greenery.