With the Emmys right around the corner, we are seeing lots of news about the shows and stars who are up for awards. Popular television stars have some of the most extravagant homes we will ever see – from Malibu to New York City to Chicago and Miami, many U.S. cities are popular hot spots for celebrities. It is always kind of fun to take a peek at where the rich and the famous live.

An elegant and endearing part of the American architectural landscape, the Country house style – with its fluid and beautifully simple outlines – has fascinated and attracted generations since it first appeared in the Southern states during the 18th and 19th centuries.

The courtyard style is alive and well in the 21st century. Going back as early as 2000 BC, the courtyard design seamlessly fused the outdoor space with the indoors to allow abundant light and air, while also providing a comfortable and secure home.

From the Arts and Crafts bungalows of the 1900s, to beachfront properties, classic ranch homes, Mediterranean and Spanish Mission designs, the row houses in San Francisco, and modern contemporary plans, California house styles are distinctly casual, comfortable and made for relaxed living.

Whether you dream of the Mount Vernon mansion, the house in “Driving Miss Daisy” or the home where Kevin ruled in the “Home Alone” movies, the Georgian house plan remains a classic American favorite that captures the historic, elegant, and stately.

When you think of the Hamptons, Martha’s Vineyard or Cape Cod, what architectural style comes to mind? Most likely it is the New England shingle style house plan. Its weathered, wood shingle exterior siding and often irregular floor plan give shingle style homes a warm and inviting feel – that is simply perfect for a summer day.

One of the most beautiful and colorful house designs in the world, the Mediterranean house plan is a mix of the romantic, elegant, and exotic. Its attractive lines, courtyards, stucco walls, low-pitched roofs, arches, and columns create a bold – and yet inviting presence.

If you’re fascinated by Elizabethan England, castles and turrets, or the tranquil beauty of an English cottage and its garden, then the Tudor house plan is for you! Influenced by architectural designs of the Medieval Ages, the Tudor home design with its storybook charm has withstood the test of time.

For most of us, Texas means rambling ranches, mission-style homes, stately mansions, and plantations. To others, it’s also the Alamo, John Wayne, the Dallas Cowboys and those feuding Ewings of Southfork. And to anyone who was raised or spent significant time here, it is also the home of quaint towns, rolling hills, creeks, and rivers. So, it should be no surprise that Texas house styles are dictated by the state’s natural landscapes and unique geographical characteristics.

From the sophistication of Paris apartments to the tranquility of country homes in Provence, and the quaintness of the half-timbered buildings in Normandy, French style house plans are marvelous sights. Think chateaus, rustic country farmhouses, and cottages – and you get the idea of the uniquely eclectic, romantic, and charming style of French home design. Each region in France is known for its own distinctive character – and has inspired countless homes in the United States and Canada.