I love the idea of organization especially when it comes to small spaces. We were able to convey this basic closet to a too elevated and expanded storage space and simultaneously gave functionally of drawers and hanging space.

This Beach inspired contemporary master bathroom is both beautiful and functional. Adding "His and Hers" vanities with deep undermount porcelain sinks gave this couple the space they needed to begin their day. Warm taupe tones in both the porcelain tile for floors and shower with taupe tone quartz countertops gave the backdrop for cool blue accents in both wall color and accessories. One of a kind custom reclaimed lumber mirror frames and driftwood accents juxtaposed the sleek contemporary elements in this space, Lighting was paramount in creating both drama and function. LED ceiling fixtures on dimmers, 8-light chandelier, wall mounted sconces and added accent up lights on both the tower and architectural wall shelf were all utilized to create a soft and effective lighting design.

In the modern digital era, clear communication and seamless collaboration are essential for every type of organization. High-quality Audio-Video (AV) systems have become a key factor in creating efficient, interactive, and engaging environments. Media K Solutions provides expert AV integration services that are carefully designed to meet the needs of businesses, educational institutions, entertainment venues, and public spaces. The company’s approach focuses on delivering complete solutions rather than simple equipment installations. Their team collaborates closely with each client to design systems that are not only functional but also scalable and adaptable to future technological advancements. Every project is built to improve productivity, enhance user experience, and simplify daily operations. Media K Solutions specializes in a wide range of AV integration services, including: Installation of high-performance audio, video, and control systems that deliver exceptional clarity and reliability. Designing flexible AV configurations that can grow with the organization and adapt to evolving requirements. Integrating new technologies with existing systems to maximize compatibility and protect prior investments. Offering continuous maintenance and technical support to ensure long-term performance and system stability. Through these carefully implemented solutions, Media K Solutions helps organizations create connected spaces that inspire collaboration, learning, and creativity. Whether setting up a conference room, classroom, auditorium, or entertainment facility, their expertise ensures smooth functionality and lasting quality. For more information about their full range of services and project examples, visit their official website: https://mediaksolutions.com

This Beach inspired contemporary master bathroom is both beautiful and functional. Adding "His and Hers" vanities with deep undermount porcelain sinks gave this couple the space they needed to begin their day. Warm taupe tones in both the porcelain tile for floors and shower with taupe tone quartz countertops gave the backdrop for cool blue accents in both wall color and accessories. One of a kind custom reclaimed lumber mirror frames and driftwood accents juxtaposed the sleek contemporary elements in this space, Lighting was paramount in creating both drama and function. LED ceiling fixtures on dimmers, 8-light chandelier, wall mounted sconces and added accent up lights on both the tower and architectural wall shelf were all utilized to create a soft and effective lighting design.

The design challenge was to maximize storage in a small galley kitchen where existing clutter overflowed into the dining room. The goal was to create a seamless and functional solution without sacrificing the space’s flow or aesthetic. To address this, we opened up a wall adjacent to the kitchen and dining room, creating room for two built-in pantries flush with the wall. These added pantries provided much-needed storage while maintaining a clean, integrated look.

To preserve an earthy, organic tone, we chose walnut as the material for a panel accent wall that would conceal the new pantries. The rich, warm tones of walnut complemented the kitchen's painted green and white frameless cabinets and added texture to the space. The design not only solved the storage issue but also enhanced the overall aesthetic with a thoughtful, modern touch that still felt inviting and connected to the rest of the home. This approach maximized functionality without compromising the visual harmony of the kitchen and dining areas. Push to open bi-fold doors for microwave shelf; other pantry doors are push to open in order to keep accent wall free.

This Beach inspired contemporary master bathroom is both beautiful and functional. Adding "His and Hers" vanities with deep undermount porcelain sinks gave this couple the space they needed to begin their day. Warm taupe tones in both the porcelain tile for floors and shower with taupe tone quartz countertops gave the backdrop for cool blue accents in both wall color and accessories. One of a kind custom reclaimed lumber mirror frames and driftwood accents juxtaposed the sleek contemporary elements in this space, Lighting was paramount in creating both drama and function. LED ceiling fixtures on dimmers, 8-light chandelier, wall mounted sconces and added accent up lights on both the tower and architectural wall shelf were all utilized to create a soft and effective lighting design.

This Beach inspired contemporary master bathroom is both beautiful and functional. Adding "His and Hers" vanities with deep undermount porcelain sinks gave this couple the space they needed to begin their day. Warm taupe tones in both the porcelain tile for floors and shower with taupe tone quartz countertops gave the backdrop for cool blue accents in both wall color and accessories. One of a kind custom reclaimed lumber mirror frames and driftwood accents juxtaposed the sleek contemporary elements in this space, Lighting was paramount in creating both drama and function. LED ceiling fixtures on dimmers, 8-light chandelier, wall mounted sconces and added accent up lights on both the tower and architectural wall shelf were all utilized to create a soft and effective lighting design.

I love the idea of organization especially when it comes to small spaces. We were able to convey this basic closet to a too elevated and expanded storage space and simultaneously gave functionally of drawers and hanging space.

This Beach inspired contemporary master bathroom is both beautiful and functional. Adding "His and Hers" vanities with deep undermount porcelain sinks gave this couple the space they needed to begin their day. Warm taupe tones in both the porcelain tile for floors and shower with taupe tone quartz countertops gave the backdrop for cool blue accents in both wall color and accessories. One of a kind custom reclaimed lumber mirror frames and driftwood accents juxtaposed the sleek contemporary elements in this space, Lighting was paramount in creating both drama and function. LED ceiling fixtures on dimmers, 8-light chandelier, wall mounted sconces and added accent up lights on both the tower and architectural wall shelf were all utilized to create a soft and effective lighting design.

This Beach inspired contemporary master bathroom is both beautiful and functional. Adding "His and Hers" vanities with deep undermount porcelain sinks gave this couple the space they needed to begin their day. Warm taupe tones in both the porcelain tile for floors and shower with taupe tone quartz countertops gave the backdrop for cool blue accents in both wall color and accessories. One of a kind custom reclaimed lumber mirror frames and driftwood accents juxtaposed the sleek contemporary elements in this space, Lighting was paramount in creating both drama and function. LED ceiling fixtures on dimmers, 8-light chandelier, wall mounted sconces and added accent up lights on both the tower and architectural wall shelf were all utilized to create a soft and effective lighting design.

The Precis super single undermount kitchen sink offers clean lines and a spacious single bowl design. One of Blanco's most popular sinks, the Precis super single features an extra-large bowl, perfect for busy families.his kitchen sink is made of Silgranit, a patented, certified granite composite material that is engineered to take on the toughest kitchen tasks. Beautiful and highly functional with its non-porous, hygienic surface, it pushes away liquids and residue resulting in a low maintenance, easy to clean, long-lasting material.

To preserve an earthy, organic tone, we chose walnut as the material for a panel accent wall that would conceal the new pantries. The rich, warm tones of walnut complemented the kitchen's painted green and white frameless cabinets and added texture to the space. The design not only solved the storage issue but also enhanced the overall aesthetic with a thoughtful, modern touch that still felt inviting and connected to the rest of the home. This approach maximized functionality without compromising the visual harmony of the kitchen and dining areas. Push to open bi-fold doors for microwave shelf; other pantry doors are push to open in order to keep accent wall free.

Part of a farmhouse remodel, this custom kitchen combines our traditional inset cabinetry with Mid-Century Modern lighting fixtures, modern floating shelves and stainless appliances. The gorgeous table-style island is topped with reclaimed wood, providing a generous work space that anchors the room. Cabinetry is finished in Truly Taupe. Hardware is un-laquered brass. Photo by Crown Point Cabinetry

Photography by Caryn B. Davis Located in the Cornfield Point area of Old Saybrook along Long Island Sound, this project brought a classic, yet forgotten beach house back to life. Through a little detective work and some creative ingenuity, we restored and enhanced the exterior to it’s former glory and transformed the interior to a highly efficient and functional home all the while uplifting its quaint cottage charm. On the exterior, we recreated a wonderful, airy front porch with cozy bench seats that look out to the water. The white cedar shingle siding is pre-bleached with a subtle flair at the bottom and a delicate break at mid-elevation. The asphalt shingles are not only beautifully matched with the siding, but offer superior reflective qualities to dissipate the heat of the summer sun. On the interior, we joined the front seasonal porch with the family room to form a larger, open living and dining space with paneled walls and ceilings anchored by the original round stone fireplace. In the rear, we carefully crafted a galley kitchen and laundry space with an adjacent first floor master suite. The diminutive house and property posed multiple practical and regulatory challenges which were overcome by a strong team effort, due diligence, and a commitment to the process. John R. Schroeder, AIA is a professional design firm specializing in architecture, interiors, and planning. We have over 30 years experience with projects of all types, sizes, and levels of complexity. Because we love what we do, we approach our work with enthusiasm and dedication. We are committed to the highest level of design and service on each and every project. We engage our clients in positive and rewarding collaborations. We strive to exceed expectations through our attention to detail, our understanding of the “big picture”, and our ability to effectively manage a team of design professionals, industry representatives, and building contractors. We carefully analyze budgets and project objectives to assist clients with wise fund allocation. We continually monitor and research advances in technology, materials, and construction methods, both sustainable and otherwise, to provide a responsible, well-suited, and cost effective product. Our design solutions are highly functional using both innovative and traditional approaches. Our aesthetic style is flexible and open, blending cues from client desires, building function, site context, and material properties, making each project unique, personalized, and enduring.

Powder room - small farmhouse marble floor and black floor powder room idea in San Francisco with shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, a one-piece toilet, white walls, an undermount sink, quartzite countertops, white countertops and a floating vanity

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

An adjacent area originally displaced was incorporated into the kitchen by removing a few walls to tie it in to the new space. Transformed into an attractive dinette bar, the complex task of incorporating stairs in the kitchen was successfully accomplished with a beautiful custom designed stainless steel and glass railing and a quaint bench seat. A cluttered closet was transformed into a functional walk in pantry just around the corner. Jurs took advantage of fourteen-foot ceilings by stacking beautiful maple cabinetry over eight feet high around the perimeter of the kitchen. Elegant glass doors with frosted glass lit from behind wrap the entire kitchen for a dramatic effect in the evening. The island was custom designed to suit the specific needs of the cook. Standard height work surfaces were created on either side of the island for food prep and chopping on two Sipo Mahogany wood tops. The center island of Cambrian honed black granite was set at 37 ½” high, perfectly suited for a tall cook! The large curved breakfast bar easily accommodates groups of kids, as well as guests and family during entertaining. New floors tie the entire living space together with White Ash Hardwood and a granite looking Porcelain tile from Italy. Full height granite backsplashes add depth, while situated on dramatic Crema Bordeaux granite counter tops that boast colors of the Grand Canyon. Frameless, wide style Shaker doors and Stainless Steel accents emphasize the warm, yet simple contemporary nature of this beautiful new space.

This 1930's Barrington Hills farmhouse was in need of some TLC when it was purchased by this southern family of five who planned to make it their new home. The renovation taken on by Advance Design Studio's designer Scott Christensen and master carpenter Justin Davis included a custom porch, custom built in cabinetry in the living room and children's bedrooms, 2 children's on-suite baths, a guest powder room, a fabulous new master bath with custom closet and makeup area, a new upstairs laundry room, a workout basement, a mud room, new flooring and custom wainscot stairs with planked walls and ceilings throughout the home. The home's original mechanicals were in dire need of updating, so HVAC, plumbing and electrical were all replaced with newer materials and equipment. A dramatic change to the exterior took place with the addition of a quaint standing seam metal roofed farmhouse porch perfect for sipping lemonade on a lazy hot summer day. In addition to the changes to the home, a guest house on the property underwent a major transformation as well. Newly outfitted with updated gas and electric, a new stacking washer/dryer space was created along with an updated bath complete with a glass enclosed shower, something the bath did not previously have. A beautiful kitchenette with ample cabinetry space, refrigeration and a sink was transformed as well to provide all the comforts of home for guests visiting at the classic cottage retreat. The biggest design challenge was to keep in line with the charm the old home possessed, all the while giving the family all the convenience and efficiency of modern functioning amenities. One of the most interesting uses of material was the porcelain "wood-looking" tile used in all the baths and most of the home's common areas. All the efficiency of porcelain tile, with the nostalgic look and feel of worn and weathered hardwood floors. The home’s casual entry has an 8" rustic antique barn wood look porcelain tile in a rich brown to create a warm and welcoming first impression. Painted distressed cabinetry in muted shades of gray/green was used in the powder room to bring out the rustic feel of the space which was accentuated with wood planked walls and ceilings. Fresh white painted shaker cabinetry was used throughout the rest of the rooms, accentuated by bright chrome fixtures and muted pastel tones to create a calm and relaxing feeling throughout the home. Custom cabinetry was designed and built by Advance Design specifically for a large 70” TV in the living room, for each of the children’s bedroom’s built in storage, custom closets, and book shelves, and for a mudroom fit with custom niches for each family member by name. The ample master bath was fitted with double vanity areas in white. A generous shower with a bench features classic white subway tiles and light blue/green glass accents, as well as a large free standing soaking tub nestled under a window with double sconces to dim while relaxing in a luxurious bath. A custom classic white bookcase for plush towels greets you as you enter the sanctuary bath. Joe Nowak