The doors disappear neatly within a wall, allowing unimpeded access between the common areas of the home and the patio or courtyard outside.

Included with the summer kitchens are a multi-burner gas grill, and depending on the floor plan, a refrigerator, sink, ice chest and storage areas. Various upgrades are also available at the development in the southern Las Vegas Valley.

"The homes we offer at Tuscan Cliffs represent a steady evolution in design that began with our first neighborhood almost 20 years ago," Evans said. "We have constantly refined our homes to suit the lifestyle of Las Vegas' luxury-home buyers. When we come across a design element that is as universally popular as our indoor-outdoor living combinations, it just makes sense to offer it as a standard amenity."

The courtyards and covered patios are old concepts in home design, but have made a resurgence in recent years. The rise in popularity is attributed in part to new innovations and a rising national affluence, Evans said.

"If the weather is nice, people want to be outside," he said. "What we have now are ways of making the outdoors more comfortable, such as heat lamps and misting systems, plus a whole host of other features that have become available."

Through a range of options, residents may make complete external "rooms" of their courtyards and patios, Evans said. Among the choices are wiring for electronics and entertainment systems, flooring to match the interior spaces, summer kitchen countertops to match the interior kitchen, and fire and water features.

"With the right design elements, a courtyard or patio can extend seamlessly from a dining room or living room," he said. "Our on-site design team can assist our clients in creating the perfect outdoor space to complement their homes."

Four floor plans with more than 50 distinct configurations are available. In their base configurations, the floor plans range from 4,328 to 5,441 square feet. Design options can bring the homes to 6,000 square feet.

Residents may receive a one-year social membership to the Southern Highlands Golf Club, upon application approval. The club includes a social calendar, spa, resort-style swimming pool and other facilities.

A total of 155 luxury estate homes are planned, each on a home site measuring at least one-quarter acre. Premium lots, including some measuring half an acre and others built into the hillsides, are also available.

A select number of elevated lots were recently released, each starting more than 20 feet higher than the entrance to the neighborhood. For a limited time, buyers may reserve any lot within the neighborhood and place the floor plan of their choosing upon it.

Standard amenities include paver stone driveways, sand-finished stucco exteriors, stainless steel appliances, exterior stone veneer, 42-inch maple cabinets, granite countertops, 6-foot garden tubs, wood-clad Andersen windows and Kohler plumbing fixtures.

Numerous options are available for nearly every aspect of the home, including structured wiring systems and media networks, swimming pools, as well as decorator touches throughout.

In addition, each residence qualifies as an Energy Star home, saving owners on heating and cooling expenses while providing a quieter, more environmentally friendly home. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency supports the Energy Star program.

Base prices start at a little more than $1 million.

To visit, take Interstate 15 to the St. Rose Parkway exit and go west. Drive north on Southern Highlands Parkway and proceed to Stonewater Lane, then turn left and follow the signs.

Office hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. except Mondays, when it opens at 1 p.m. The sales office phone is 228-8559.

Pacific Southwest Development has been building homes in the Las Vegas Valley for nearly 20 years.