Search results for "Acquire houses" in Home Design Ideas


Example of a mid-sized classic gray one-story stucco exterior home design in San Francisco with a shingle roof


Gourmet kitchen designed around locally acquired historic apothecary casework. Photo by Blake Mistich.
Country dark wood floor kitchen photo in Austin with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island
Country dark wood floor kitchen photo in Austin with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island


Nestled in the hills of Orinda, California, this 1951 residence is one of only seven extant homes, now known as “The Magnificent Seven”, designed by architect Olof Dahlstrand, a protégé of Frank Lloyd Wright. With its low-slung rooflines, natural materials, and deep integration with the sloping landscape, the home is a pristine example of mid-century modern design inspired by Wright’s organic principles. Over the years, prior homeowners have emphasized preservation, ensuring that the house remained relatively untouched. Each owner has respected the original architecture and stayed true to Dahlstrand’s intent. When a family of five—two college-aged sons and a middle school-aged daughter—acquired the property, they were captivated by its history, legacy of care, and architectural significance. While they appreciated Dahlstrand’s original vision, they also recognized the need to adapt the home for contemporary living while preserving its design integrity.
The remodel was conceived as a thoughtful response to the past—an effort to bring the house into the 21st century without compromising its soul. The primary mandate was to maintain architectural continuity while improving the functionality, comfort, and livability for a modern family. The design team—architects and contractor alike—worked with a shared reverence for the original architecture, allowing that mindset to guide even the most technical or pragmatic decisions.
A key objective was to increase natural light in the kitchen—a departure from Wrightian principles of enclosed, intimate cooking spaces—while maintaining the home’s architectural language. The kitchen was reconfigured to foster a stronger connection to adjacent living spaces while retaining the underlying concept of spatial separation. One of the most transformative architectural changes was the removal of a ridge beam that was originally planned to remain visible through the kitchen. During construction, the team collaborated on a better solution: a wide-flanged steel beam concealed within the roof envelope. This subtle move preserved the clean lines and ceiling continuity, a modern update carried out with utmost respect for the existing framework.
The home’s original powder room, previously accessible only through the kitchen, was relocated for better flow and privacy. A new powder room was carved out of former kitchen cabinetry—a narrow, interior space that could have felt dark and enclosed. To avoid this, the design extended the line of original transom windows into the new powder room and added a skylight above the vanity. The result is a bright and airy space that feels consistent with the rest of the home. Other updates included the installation of new solid-core interior doors with veneers carefully matched to the original mahogany, enhancing the continuity of the interiors. Even smaller decisions, such as placing the door knobs at 42 inches high, mirrored the original proportions. Every choice reflected a shared belief between the architect, contractor, and client: that new work should serve the integrity of the old.
The home’s extensive interior redwood millwork and paneling was meticulously restored. Where new materials were introduced—such as the replacement redwood soffit paneling—the contractor took pains to find finish nails that matched the original, rather than using modern equivalents. This level of craftsmanship and collaboration defined the project. It extended even to the detailing of a blind door to the new powder room, which had to disappear into the existing redwood board-and-batten wall. It was a team effort: the owner found a suitable handle, the architects devised the custom in-swing mechanism, and the contractor executed it so the door aligned precisely with the battens. Throughout, the homeowners were deeply engaged in the design process. One, a meticulous design enthusiast, focused on aesthetic integrity and historic detail. The other brought a practical and function-driven perspective, ensuring that new fixtures and materials would be durable and require minimal maintenance.
While the home’s location posed no major site challenges, sustainability was a key concern. The team upgraded the roof insulation, installed solar panels with battery storage, and added ductless mini-split cooling systems. Lighting was another area where modern technology was woven into a historic framework: new square LED fixtures echo the original custom perimeter soffit lights, maintaining the design language while offering advanced performance.
A planned expansion of a bedroom into suite with a bathroom had to be shelved due to budget constraints and the high cost of below-grade foundation work. Still, the team focused their efforts on making the most of the existing footprint, resolving constraints through design ingenuity rather than adding square footage. This renovation represents a collaborative achievement in preserving and evolving a historically significant home. Every decision was shaped by a shared ethos among clients, architects, and contractor: to maintain the home’s architectural soul while updating it for contemporary life. The result is a timeless modernist residence that continues Olof Dahlstrand’s legacy, remaining grounded in nature, craftsmanship, and human-scale design.
Klopf Architecture Team: John Klopf, AIA, Klara Kevane, Fernanda Bernardes
Interior Architectural Design: Klopf Architecture
Structural Engineer: Daniel Bastiao
Contractor: Don Larwood, Larwood Construction
Photography: Mariko Reed
Year Completed: 2022
Find the right local pro for your project


The use of elegant, formally interesting rugs and textiles conveys a contemporary design to this living room.
Living Room Manufacturers -
Fabrics: Romo, Kravet, Brunschwig & Fils
Lighting: Barbara Cosgrove, Currey & Company
Area Rug - Madeline Weinrib
Accessories: Arteriors
Singleton Photography


The inviting fire draws you through the garden. Surrounds Inc.
Photo of a large traditional backyard stone landscaping in DC Metro with a fireplace.
Photo of a large traditional backyard stone landscaping in DC Metro with a fireplace.


Peter Murdock
Bedroom - contemporary master bedroom idea in New York with blue walls and no fireplace
Bedroom - contemporary master bedroom idea in New York with blue walls and no fireplace

Sponsored
Great Falls, VA

Preferred General Contracting, Inc.
Fairfax County's Specialized, Comprehensive Renovations Firm


bill timmerman
Example of a minimalist open concept concrete floor living room design in Phoenix with white walls, a ribbon fireplace and a wall-mounted tv
Example of a minimalist open concept concrete floor living room design in Phoenix with white walls, a ribbon fireplace and a wall-mounted tv


Beautiful kitchen remodel in a 1950's mis century modern home in Yellow Springs Ohio The Teal accent tile really sets off the bright orange range hood and stove.
Photo Credit, Kelly Settle Kelly Ann Photography


Photos © Jeffrey Totaro, 2013
Pinemar, Inc.- Philadelphia General Contractor & Home Builder.
Inspiration for a timeless entryway remodel in Philadelphia with a black front door
Inspiration for a timeless entryway remodel in Philadelphia with a black front door


Jeff McNamara
Mid-sized elegant galley ceramic tile and gray floor dedicated laundry room photo in New York with white cabinets, a farmhouse sink, solid surface countertops, a side-by-side washer/dryer, white countertops, beaded inset cabinets and gray walls
Mid-sized elegant galley ceramic tile and gray floor dedicated laundry room photo in New York with white cabinets, a farmhouse sink, solid surface countertops, a side-by-side washer/dryer, white countertops, beaded inset cabinets and gray walls


Elegant kitchen photo in Other with recessed-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, multicolored backsplash and white countertops


Nestled into sloping topography, the design of this home allows privacy from the street while providing unique vistas throughout the house and to the surrounding hill country and downtown skyline. Layering rooms with each other as well as circulation galleries, insures seclusion while allowing stunning downtown views. The owners' goals of creating a home with a contemporary flow and finish while providing a warm setting for daily life was accomplished through mixing warm natural finishes such as stained wood with gray tones in concrete and local limestone. The home's program also hinged around using both passive and active green features. Sustainable elements include geothermal heating/cooling, rainwater harvesting, spray foam insulation, high efficiency glazing, recessing lower spaces into the hillside on the west side, and roof/overhang design to provide passive solar coverage of walls and windows. The resulting design is a sustainably balanced, visually pleasing home which reflects the lifestyle and needs of the clients.
Photography by Andrew Pogue

Sponsored
Warrenton, VA

Cumberland Custom Homes
Northern Virginia's Green Residential Builder & Renovator


Photography: Barry Halkin
Elegant kids' subway tile claw-foot bathtub photo in Philadelphia with a wall-mount sink and blue walls
Elegant kids' subway tile claw-foot bathtub photo in Philadelphia with a wall-mount sink and blue walls


SDH Studio - Architecture and Design
Location: Golden Beach, Florida, USA
Overlooking the canal in Golden Beach 96 GB was designed around a 27 foot triple height space that would be the heart of this home. With an emphasis on the natural scenery, the interior architecture of the house opens up towards the water and fills the space with natural light and greenery.


The built-in bookcases in this living room help provide much needed storage in a small home while helping to bounce light into the room from the windows. At night the books are illuminated by the monopoint track fixtures.
Renovation/Addition. Rob Karosis Photography


Photo by Ed Gohlich
Small traditional white one-story wood exterior home idea in San Diego with a shingle roof
Small traditional white one-story wood exterior home idea in San Diego with a shingle roof
Showing Results for "Acquire Houses"


Mid-sized elegant medium tone wood floor living room photo in Raleigh with brown walls and a standard fireplace


Example of a classic master dark wood floor bedroom design in Chicago with gray walls


This was a new construction project photographed for Jim Clopton of McGuire Real Estate. Construction is by Lou Vierra of Vierra Fine Homes ( http://www.vierrafinehomes.com).
Photography by peterlyonsphoto.com
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