Amber Roberts
Living room - transitional living room idea in Singapore

Sunroom - large country slate floor sunroom idea in New York with a glass ceiling

Fido's air conditioned room (left door) is accessible through a doggy door on the exterior. Dog shower available at www.shor-line.com
Inspiration for a large timeless shed remodel in Dallas

Trendy living room photo in Houston

This is a basement renovation transforms the space into a Library for a client's personal book collection . Space includes all LED lighting , cork floorings , Reading area (pictured) and fireplace nook .

Photo: Kayla Stark © 2015 Houzz
Eclectic exterior home idea in New Orleans

The owners acquired an adjacent property and called on our firm and a team of consultants to join the properties into one seamless private park like setting complete with a Pool Pavilion and Pool. A study of light and space, The Pavilion offers different experiences at different times of the day. The optimum display of light and transparency occurs at dusk. At that hour, one can catch the reflections in the pool and the glowing of this small jewel within in the landscape. Amenities include an air conditioned lounging area with TV and kitchen/bar, a laundry and changing room, a private bathroom with shower, an additional outdoor shower and a full basement for storage of pool toys and equipment. The contemporary approach combines rich woods, stainless steel, and concrete with marble, glass tile and natural stones. Cedar shingles, a nod to the main house, recede into the landscape while the soaring glass windows and doors flood the space with light and views back into the landscape. The building also features a bead board ceiling and exposed structure. This blend of materials yields a sophisticated modern design that is calm and cheerful while providing conditioned entertaining space for the Owner’s family and friends. The client gushes “I feel like I am transported-- on vacation-- every time I open the doors and enter the space.” Robert Glasgow Photography

Bob Greenspan
Inspiration for a small modern shed remodel in Kansas City

Blue Horse Building + Design / Architect - alterstudio architecture llp / Photography -James Leasure
Large contemporary white two-story stucco house exterior idea in Austin with a gambrel roof and a metal roof

The original foyer of this 1959 home was dark and cave like. The ceiling could not be raised because of AC equipment above, so the designer decided to "visually open" the space by removing a portion of the wall between the kitchen and the foyer. The team designed and installed a "see through" walnut dividing wall to allow light to spill into the space. A peek into the kitchen through the geometric triangles on the walnut wall provides a "wow" factor for the foyer.

Mid-sized minimalist galley slate floor and gray floor utility room photo in Portland with an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, white walls, a side-by-side washer/dryer and white countertops

Four Seasons Room Addition in East Bloomington, IL. Client had an existing deck that we removed to build new structure. Photos provided by Say Anything Photos in Bloomington IL.

This is a garage to office conversion we did in Los Angeles
Inspiration for a contemporary home office remodel in Los Angeles

Gridley + Graves Photographers BeDe Design
Example of a cottage exterior home design in Philadelphia

View of the house from the front porch of the barn.
Inspiration for a large farmhouse beige one-story stone house exterior remodel in Austin with a metal roof

Bedroom - coastal bedroom idea in New York

The chalet offers a large open living space, surrounded by windows arranged in a rhythm that mimics the openings in a forest. This arrangement gives the impression of being among the trees while benefiting from an air-conditioned environment. Everywhere you turn, a window opens to the outdoors, inviting nature inside and creating a feeling of total immersion.

These highly attractive bespoke built-in bookcases and matching desk were handcrafted by Claude Clémaron for a period-style home office and library in Putney, southwest London. Traditionally constructed and designed fitted furniture like this has incredible charm and creates a warm, homely and calming atmosphere. Though traditional in style, the fitted furniture has been customised to discreetly integrate modern technology, cabling and wiring into the design. The L-shaped cabinet, for instance, cleverly houses an air conditioning unit. A bespoke home office full of character Every detail is detail. From the antique bronze doorknobs to open the cupboard doors to the beautifully crafted, solid oak library ladder to reach the highest shelves. Handcrafted and hand finished for longevity and looks The fitted cabinets have been spraypainted in Hardwick White by Farrow and Ball; a timeless light neutral colour with a rich, chalky grey-green hue. Oak has been used to line the upper open bookcases. The natural wood adds a visual contrast to the painted finish of the cabinetry and will be more resilient to wear and tear. Painted shelves can be more prone to chipping and scratching when in frequent use. Decorative woodworking and period design elements Traditionally constructed and designed, this bespoke built-in cabinetry features an authentic beaded inset detail on the cupboard doors, as well as distinctive fluting, all adding further dimension and elegance to the high end furniture. The bespoke matching handcrafted desk features integrated storage and a curved right hand detailed panel. The curved edge softens the look and feel of the desk. A smooth skiver leather inlay, made from sheepskin, is a traditional feature that provides a comfortable surface for writing or using a mouse. The inlay’s natural texture and warm tan colour enhance the desk’s visual appeal and creates a pleasant tactile experience.

From Mid-Century Classic to the Present An iconic design updated with comfort, function, and flow for today. A Remodel That Balances Past and Present What started as a desire to update a classic Eichler soon became an exploration of how Mid-Century Modern design can successfully evolve for today. The client, a tech professional with a passion for scuba diving and underwater photography, wanted a home that would both honor its original character and feel tailored to his daily life. A lifelong technology enthusiast, he still owns the very first Mac desktop he saved up for as a teenager working at Radio Shack, a detail that underscores his appreciation for design that melds function and form. Honoring Separation While Expanding Possibility Unlike many contemporary remodels where walls are opened up to create expansive living spaces, this project took a more restrained approach. The client valued the defined rooms of the original plan and wanted to preserve as much wall space as possible for displaying his large-format underwater photography. The emphasis was not on dramatic spatial reinvention, but on thoughtful refinements. Klopf Architecture shaped a gallery-like backdrop while also expanding the primary suite, modernizing materials and fixtures throughout the home, and improving the functionality and layout of the kitchen. The finished home feels at once timeless and renewed, an Eichler that continues to inspire while fully supporting the lifestyle of its present-day owner. A major turning point came mid-design. The original project brief had not included an addition, but as the reconfiguration of the primary bedroom and bath unfolded, it became clear that an expansion was the best approach to achieve the client’s vision of a more spacious suite. Fortunately, the adjustment came at a stage when revisions were still manageable and was integrated seamlessly, showing how thoughtful course corrections can strengthen a project rather than hinder it. Navigating Challenges With Precision The design development included multiple conceptual rounds, balancing preservation with subtle expansion. During construction, an existing post previously thought to be load-bearing turned out not to be. The structural engineer was able to pivot quickly, and both the post and the cross beam that had been intended to replace it could be omitted, allowing the original rhythm of the Eichler beam bays to be preserved. Sustainability was not just a checklist item, but a way to align the home with the client’s values of simplicity, efficiency, and long-term functionality. R-38 roof insulation reduced energy usage, solar panels with battery storage provided independence and resilience, and passive comfort strategies eliminated the need forenergy-intensive air conditioning. An electric vehicle charger and an on-demand hot water recirculation system (with call buttons as opposed to having constant circulation) add to the home’s long-term efficiency factors. Together, these moves created a home that is quieter, more comfortable, and better equipped for the future, qualities that supported the client’s pragmatic approach to design and living lightly. Details That Respect the Eichler DNA The remodel carries forward the Eichler’s original spirit while introducing new layers of modern livability. Originally, the house was approached along a deep, narrow walk, with the garage on one side and the house on the other, leaving the front door tucked far back within this chasm-like space. By pulling the entry forward, the design reshaped the arrival experience, creating a clearer threshold and a natural drop-off zone for bags, shoes, and keys. This shift also made room for a custom bench at the entry that extends seamlessly through the glass sidelight. The bench and drop-off zone now work together as a single, integrated sequence that supports everyday living while offering a tactile reminder of Eichler’s philosophy of connectedness. At the client’s request, Klopf reintroduced a classic Eichler gesture by extending the exterior siding into the entry and living room. The detail reinforces a sense of indoor/outdoor continuity while providing a subtle architectural surface that allows the client’s photography to take visual precedence. The signature concrete masonry wall at the front was reconstructed using blocks sourced to match the originals, now strengthened with rebar for seismic resilience while maintaining a private outdoor courtyard, visually extending the kitchen outward. A decorative trellis element, a detail borrowed from a neighboring Eichler, restores a familiar mid-century modern architectural motif. At the courtyard entry door, a custom etched glass sidelight with an ocean-themed design featuring kelp and jellyfish serves as a subtle homage to the client’s passion for deep-sea diving. Landscaping became an integral part of the overall transformation. The homeowner engaged landscape architect Randi Johnsen of Third Nature Studio to shape a series of calm, inviting outdoor rooms that read as a natural extension of the interiors. While technically outside of the core construction scope, the landscape design proved central to achieving a sense of completeness and connectedness across the property. Such whole-property considerations often emerge as design ideas take shape, underscoring the importance of flexibility in planning and budgeting, as well as close collaboration among the design team starting early in the process. The Value of Evolving Scope As with many custom residential projects, the scope evolved during the design process. What began as a targeted remodel grew to include a new/expanded primary suite, a rebuilt CMU patio wall for strength and longevity, and a solar panel array and battery storage for energy resilience and carbon-reduction. Each thoughtful decision represented a conscious investment in the home’s performance and character, rather than a cost overrun. The result was a project delivered on schedule, tailored precisely to the client’s lifestyle, and positioned to add long-term value both functionally and aesthetically. By embracing scope evolution as an opportunity rather than a challenge, and relying on good design paired with transparent communication, this remodel demonstrates how Eichler homes can be adapted for contemporary living without erasing their DNA. Klopf Architecture project team: John Klopf, AIA, and Klara Kevane, Elise Webb and Nicholas LaNasa. Contractor: Golden Cove Construction Landscape Design: Third Nature Studio Structural Engineer: Daniel Bastiao Design Photography: ©2025 Mariko Reed Year Completed: 2024 Location: Sunnyvale, CA