Photo by Melissa Oivanki

Like red hair or green eyes, creativity seems to be a gene that’s exceptionally rare. It takes a special talent to be able to pluck something plain from the rubbish and transform it into something beautiful.

The owners of the three unique homes highlighted in the following stories all possess that innate gift, and they use it to incredible effect within their walls. They are all fearless in their approach to design, turning not to media-imposed trends but filling their houses with only the things that make them truly happy. They all also happen to be close friends, inspiring each other and sharing their ideas and their creations. As their homes reveal, the creative gene might be rare but it doesn’t have to be exclusive. Read on to learn more about what makes these houses authentic representations of the families that reside within:

Into the wild: Art meets nature above the swamp

Moving pictures: A gallery owner’s personal retreat

Mid-century makeover: Decades of decor in a ranch-style redo