Book excerpt: Loaded with hundreds of photographs of high-end custom homes, these gorgeous books are a treat for lovers of residential architecture and a resource for people planning to build their own one-of-a-kind houses. Profiles of top architects and information on local builders and suppliers provide an overview of regional styles and preferences in each locality. Featuring the stunning designs of 42 architectural firms and a variety of award-winning architects--including Ray Kappe, Stephen Kanner, Marmol Radziner & Associates, Pugh & Scarpa Architects and more--this gorgeous collection highlights homes stretching from Santa Monica to Manhattan Beach, and Beverly Hills to Pasadena, and beyond to the hills of Hollywood. This volume also includes a foreword by legendary Los Angeles iconic photographer, Julius Shulman.