Klopf Architecture and Outer space Landscape Architects designed a new warm, modern, open, indoor-outdoor home in Los Altos, California. Inspired by mid-century modern homes but looking for something completely new and custom, the owners, a couple with two children, bought an older ranch style home with the intention of replacing it. Created on a grid, the house is designed to be at rest with differentiated spaces for activities; living, playing, cooking, dining and a piano space. The low-sloping gable roof over the great room brings a grand feeling to the space. The clerestory windows at the high sloping roof make the grand space light and airy. Upon entering the house, an open atrium entry in the middle of the house provides light and nature to the great room. The Heath tile wall at the back of the atrium blocks direct view of the rear yard from the entry door for privacy. The bedrooms, bathrooms, play room and the sitting room are under flat wing-like roofs that balance on either side of the low sloping gable roof of the main space. Large sliding glass panels and pocketing glass doors foster openness to the front and back yards. In the front there is a fenced-in play space connected to the play room, creating an indoor-outdoor play space that could change in use over the years. The play room can also be closed off from the great room with a large pocketing door. In the rear, everything opens up to a deck overlooking a pool where the family can come together outdoors. Wood siding travels from exterior to interior, accentuating the indoor-outdoor nature of the house. Where the exterior siding doesn’t come inside, a palette of white oak floors, white walls, walnut cabinetry, and dark window frames ties all the spaces together to create a uniform feeling and flow throughout the house. The custom cabinetry matches the minimal joinery of the rest of the house, a trim-less, minimal appearance. Wood siding was mitered in the corners, including where siding meets the interior drywall. Wall materials were held up off the floor with a minimal reveal. This tight detailing gives a sense of cleanliness to the house. The garage door of the house is completely flush and of the same material as the garage wall, de-emphasizing the garage door and making the street presentation of the house kinder to the neighborhood. The house is akin to a custom, modern-day Eichler home in many ways. Inspired by mid-century modern homes with today’s materials, approaches, standards, and technologies. The goals were to create an indoor-outdoor home that was energy-efficient, light and flexible for young children to grow. This 3,000 square foot, 3 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom new house is located in Los Altos in the heart of the Silicon Valley. Klopf Architecture Project Team: John Klopf, AIA, and Chuang-Ming Liu 
Landscape Architect: Outer space Landscape Architects 
Structural Engineer: ZFA Structural Engineers 
Staging: Da Lusso Design 
Photography ©2018 Mariko Reed 
Location: Los Altos, CA
 Year completed: 2017

  Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   The Klimala’s and their three kids are no strangers to moving, this being their fifth house in the same town over the 20-year period they have lived there. “It must be the 7-year itch, because every seven years, we seem to find ourselves antsy for a new project or a new environment. I think part of it is being a designer, I see my own taste evolve and I want my environment to reflect that. Having easy access to wonderful tradesmen and a knowledge of the process makes it that much easier”. This time, Klimala’s fell in love with a somewhat unlikely candidate. The 1950’s ranch turned cape cod was a bit of a mutt, but it’s location 5 minutes from their design studio and backing up to the high school where their kids can roll out of bed and walk to school, coupled with the charm of its location on a private road and lush landscaping made it an appealing choice for them. “The bones of the house were really charming. It was typical 1,500 square foot ranch that at some point someone added a second floor to. Its sloped roofline and dormered bedrooms gave it some charm.” With the help of architect Maureen McHugh, Klimala’s gutted and reworked the layout to make the house work for them. An open concept kitchen and dining room allows for more frequent casual family dinners and dinner parties that linger. A dingy 3-season room off the back of the original house was insulated, given a vaulted ceiling with skylights and now opens up to the kitchen. This room now houses an 8’ raw edge white oak dining table and functions as an informal dining room. “One of the challenges with these mid-century homes is the 8’ ceilings. I had to have at least one room that had a higher ceiling so that’s how we did it” states Klimala. The kitchen features a 10’ island which houses a 5’0” Galley Sink. The Galley features two faucets, and double tiered rail system to which accessories such as cutting boards and stainless steel bowls can be added for ease of cooking. Across from the large sink is an induction cooktop. “My two teen daughters and I enjoy cooking, and the Galley and induction cooktop make it so easy.” A wall of tall cabinets features a full size refrigerator, freezer, double oven and built in coffeemaker. The area on the opposite end of the kitchen features a pantry with mirrored glass doors and a beverage center below. The rest of the first floor features an entry way, a living room with views to the front yard’s lush landscaping, a family room where the family hangs out to watch TV, a back entry from the garage with a laundry room and mudroom area, one of the home’s four bedrooms and a full bath. There is a double sided fireplace between the family room and living room. The home features pops of color from the living room’s peach grass cloth to purple painted wall in the family room. “I’m definitely a traditionalist at heart but because of the home’s Midcentury roots, I wanted to incorporate some of those elements into the furniture, lighting and accessories which also ended up being really fun. We are not formal people so I wanted a house that my kids would enjoy, have their friends over and feel comfortable.” The second floor houses the master bedroom suite, two of the kids’ bedrooms and a back room nicknamed “the library” because it has turned into a quiet get away area where the girls can study or take a break from the rest of the family. The area was originally unfinished attic, and because the home was short on closet space, this Jack and Jill area off the girls’ bedrooms houses two large walk-in closets and a small sitting area with a makeup vanity. “The girls really wanted to keep the exposed brick of the fireplace that runs up the through the space, so that’s what we did, and I think they feel like they are in their own little loft space in the city when they are up there” says Klimala. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Carlos Vergara For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

APLD 2021 Silver Award Winning Landscape Design. Painted galvanized troughs used for vegetables in the side yard. An expansive back yard landscape with several mature oak trees and a stunning Golden Locust tree has been transformed into a welcoming outdoor retreat. The renovations include a wraparound deck, an expansive travertine natural stone patio, stairways and pathways along with concrete retaining walls and column accents with dramatic planters. The pathways meander throughout the landscape... some with travertine stepping stones and gravel and those below the majestic oaks left natural with fallen leaves. Raised vegetable beds and fruit trees occupy some of the sunniest areas of the landscape. A variety of low-water and low-maintenance plants for both sunny and shady areas include several succulents, grasses, CA natives and other site-appropriate Mediterranean plants complimented by a variety of boulders. Dramatic white pots provide architectural accents, filled with succulents and citrus trees. Design, Photos, Drawings © Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

Klopf Architecture and Outer space Landscape Architects designed a new warm, modern, open, indoor-outdoor home in Los Altos, California. Inspired by mid-century modern homes but looking for something completely new and custom, the owners, a couple with two children, bought an older ranch style home with the intention of replacing it. Created on a grid, the house is designed to be at rest with differentiated spaces for activities; living, playing, cooking, dining and a piano space. The low-sloping gable roof over the great room brings a grand feeling to the space. The clerestory windows at the high sloping roof make the grand space light and airy. Upon entering the house, an open atrium entry in the middle of the house provides light and nature to the great room. The Heath tile wall at the back of the atrium blocks direct view of the rear yard from the entry door for privacy. The bedrooms, bathrooms, play room and the sitting room are under flat wing-like roofs that balance on either side of the low sloping gable roof of the main space. Large sliding glass panels and pocketing glass doors foster openness to the front and back yards. In the front there is a fenced-in play space connected to the play room, creating an indoor-outdoor play space that could change in use over the years. The play room can also be closed off from the great room with a large pocketing door. In the rear, everything opens up to a deck overlooking a pool where the family can come together outdoors. Wood siding travels from exterior to interior, accentuating the indoor-outdoor nature of the house. Where the exterior siding doesn’t come inside, a palette of white oak floors, white walls, walnut cabinetry, and dark window frames ties all the spaces together to create a uniform feeling and flow throughout the house. The custom cabinetry matches the minimal joinery of the rest of the house, a trim-less, minimal appearance. Wood siding was mitered in the corners, including where siding meets the interior drywall. Wall materials were held up off the floor with a minimal reveal. This tight detailing gives a sense of cleanliness to the house. The garage door of the house is completely flush and of the same material as the garage wall, de-emphasizing the garage door and making the street presentation of the house kinder to the neighborhood. The house is akin to a custom, modern-day Eichler home in many ways. Inspired by mid-century modern homes with today’s materials, approaches, standards, and technologies. The goals were to create an indoor-outdoor home that was energy-efficient, light and flexible for young children to grow. This 3,000 square foot, 3 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom new house is located in Los Altos in the heart of the Silicon Valley. Klopf Architecture Project Team: John Klopf, AIA, and Chuang-Ming Liu 
Landscape Architect: Outer space Landscape Architects 
Structural Engineer: ZFA Structural Engineers 
Staging: Da Lusso Design 
Photography ©2018 Mariko Reed 
Location: Los Altos, CA
 Year completed: 2017

- HOST SECTIONAL. Wooden frame with elastic straps, upholstered in expanded polyurethane, fibre covering matched with fine velveteen. Backrest feather cushions with insert in expanded polyurethane. Seat feather cushions with insert in expanded polyurethane, with differentiated density, upholstered in cotton and heavy cotton. Feet in metal, powder coated, with non-slip ferrules. Sofa with a particular strap system in the backrest, enabling a flexion up to 2'' inches for a perfect ergonomics and moments of pure relaxation. Elements upholstered in completely removable fabric, elements upholstered in leather with cushions having removable covers and structure with non removable covers. - MATCH SIDE TABLE. Elegant side tables, in square or rectangular versions, and other elements comprising a bookcase, may be positioned in various manners around the sofa to perform a number of functions, such as: enclosing the seating area, substituting the corner module of the sofa, for positioning between one seating element and another, standing beside the armrest or behind the backrest to become a sofa back furnishing element, or transforming modular seating into dinner sofas. Moreover, all elements may be accessorized with useful trays, for positioning when and where they are needed. Small tables, Consoles, Sofa-back element and bookcase elements for armrest side and sofa back in Canaletto walnut. Auxiliary Table: 26''W x 26''5/8D x 26''5/8H. Sofa-back element: 78''3/4W x 12''5/8D x 26''5/8H. - MIAMI LOUNGE CHAIR. Miami is a chair without frontiers. Its fabric, woven in varying consistencies, is padded for seating and structured for containing, while also tracing a free and easy, yet comfortable graphic design. The fabric weave executed in bands creates the necessary volume to contain the padding, in what amounts to a new spatial concept. Armchair with pearl white metal frame and bright blue or grey-brown elastic bands. Chair cover in dove grey or neutral fabric and backrest cushions in jacquard, prince of wales checks and interwoven fabric. Endowed with a round swivel base, its spacious seat and two lumbar cushions, one large and another smaller one, guarantee maximum comfort. 38''1/8W x 31''1/2D x 35''1/2H.

Pamela Crawford designed this side yard for a client who loves garden color, particularly from leaves. Check out over 500 images of Palm Beach County landscapes at pamela-crawford.com. Pamela designs landscapes, container gardens, and outdoor living areas throughout Palm Beach County, FL, including Boca Raton, Delray Beach, the town of Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter, and Wellington. She provides beautiful, custom designs that include professional installation of beautiful plant material, planters, and outdoor furniture and accessories.

Removed 4 large bushes + trimmed bougainvillea & oleanders - Removed concrete + graded yard for river run & mounds - Repurposed volcanic granite + moved boulders for river run border - 300 sq ft travertine patio (Myra White) + 152 sq ft paver patio - Desert plants & succulents in 5-gallon containers - 21' block wall w/ matching house stucco - 4 tons Table Mesa Brown rip rap + 4 tons Madison Gold granite - Irrigation tune-up: flushed, repaired, updated schedule - Extended side yard paver walkway

Removed 4 large bushes + trimmed bougainvillea & oleanders - Removed concrete + graded yard for river run & mounds - Repurposed volcanic granite + moved boulders for river run border - 300 sq ft travertine patio (Myra White) + 152 sq ft paver patio - Desert plants & succulents in 5-gallon containers - 21' block wall w/ matching house stucco - 4 tons Table Mesa Brown rip rap + 4 tons Madison Gold granite - Irrigation tune-up: flushed, repaired, updated schedule - Extended side yard paver walkway

Removed 4 large bushes + trimmed bougainvillea & oleanders - Removed concrete + graded yard for river run & mounds - Repurposed volcanic granite + moved boulders for river run border - 300 sq ft travertine patio (Myra White) + 152 sq ft paver patio - Desert plants & succulents in 5-gallon containers - 21' block wall w/ matching house stucco - 4 tons Table Mesa Brown rip rap + 4 tons Madison Gold granite - Irrigation tune-up: flushed, repaired, updated schedule - Extended side yard paver walkway

The grey walls and dark brown window treatments frame the view to the back and side yard. Allowing in the natural light with the glass french doors and using natural materials has added to the comfortable and casual feeling of this room.

This renovation project updates an existing New York 1920s apartment with a modern sensibility. Replacing the cellular pre-war layout of the central spaces with a built-in walnut credenza and white lacquer side board effectively opens the plan to create a unified and spacious living area. The back side of the full-height dining room side-board screens views from the entrance foyer. The modern design of the new built-ins at center of the space is balanced by perimeter radiator covers and a full-height bookshelf which work with the period trim detail. The dining room features a folding translucent glass partition that provides separation from the kitchen, or can be completely stowed away to create an open kitchen that connects with the rest of the space. The new kitchen has been relocated to open directly onto the dining room, and features a long, solid mahogany island serving counter. An operable white lacquer and translucent glass partition pulls out from behind a concealed panel to separate the two rooms, providing flexibility for both casual and formal arrangements. The relocation of the kitchen allows for the addition of a small private study, and a powder room, both absent from the original layout. Photography: Mikiko Kikuyama

We were asked to create something really special for one of our most admired clients. This home has been a labor of love for both of us as we finally made it exactly what she wanted it to be. After many concept ideas we landed on a design that is stunning! All of the elements on her wish list are incorporated in this challenging, multi-level landscape: A front yard to match the modern traditional-style home while creating privacy from the street; a side yard that proudly connects the front and back; and a lower level with plantings in lush greens, whites, purples and pinks and plentiful lawn space for kids and dogs. Her outdoor living space includes an outdoor kitchen with bar, outdoor living room with fireplace, dining patio, a bedroom-adjacent lounging patio with modern fountain, enclosed vegetable garden, rose garden walk with European-style fountain and meditation bench, and a fire pit with sitting area on the upper level to take in the panoramic views of the sunset over the wooded ridge. Outdoor lighting brings it alive at night, and for parties you can’t beat the killer sound system!

Inspiration for a mid-sized craftsman brown two-story wood exterior home remodel in San Francisco

Galley style laundry room with vintage laundry sink and work bench. Photography by Spacecrafting
Laundry room - large transitional l-shaped ceramic tile and gray floor laundry room idea in Minneapolis with an utility sink, open cabinets, gray cabinets, laminate countertops, gray walls and a side-by-side washer/dryer

A side view of the final version for this project. Note the stone wall and how it shapes the yard. This hardscaping idea makes all of the difference when you are trying to transform your front yard. This is the first thing people see when they visit your home, we make it something they remember!

Napa, CA residence, adjacent to a steep rock hillside. My design solutions included a contemporary redwood horizontal fence to help screen the view of the hillside along with arbors for vines that help to break up the long narrow space. I designed a triangular-shaped pergola with decorative panels from "Parasoleil" that serves as an artful focal point while providing interesting shade patterns that casts its delightful shadow along fence and patio and bench below, changing its position as the sun moves throughout the day. The landscape design includes angular planting beds, concrete pavers surrounded by gravel and a small lower-water lawn for the family to enjoy. The photos show the just planted low-water plants, vines and olive trees and again after a couple of months. Drawings, Design and Photos © Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

Photos by Philippe Le Berre
Inspiration for a mid-sized modern single-wall slate floor dedicated laundry room remodel in Los Angeles with flat-panel cabinets, marble countertops, white walls, a side-by-side washer/dryer and white cabinets

Kitchen with island and light well above for natural light from above. View to side yard with playful cement fiber board fence painted in various colors. Photo by Dan Arnold

ZeroEnergy Design (ZED) created this modern home for a progressive family in the desirable community of Lexington. Thoughtful Land Connection. The residence is carefully sited on the infill lot so as to create privacy from the road and neighbors, while cultivating a side yard that captures the southern sun. The terraced grade rises to meet the house, allowing for it to maintain a structured connection with the ground while also sitting above the high water table. The elevated outdoor living space maintains a strong connection with the indoor living space, while the stepped edge ties it back to the true ground plane. Siting and outdoor connections were completed by ZED in collaboration with landscape designer Soren Deniord Design Studio. Exterior Finishes and Solar. The exterior finish materials include a palette of shiplapped wood siding, through-colored fiber cement panels and stucco. A rooftop parapet hides the solar panels above, while a gutter and site drainage system directs rainwater into an irrigation cistern and dry wells that recharge the groundwater. Cooking, Dining, Living. Inside, the kitchen, fabricated by Henrybuilt, is located between the indoor and outdoor dining areas. The expansive south-facing sliding door opens to seamlessly connect the spaces, using a retractable awning to provide shade during the summer while still admitting the warming winter sun. The indoor living space continues from the dining areas across to the sunken living area, with a view that returns again to the outside through the corner wall of glass. Accessible Guest Suite. The design of the first level guest suite provides for both aging in place and guests who regularly visit for extended stays. The patio off the north side of the house affords guests their own private outdoor space, and privacy from the neighbor. Similarly, the second level master suite opens to an outdoor private roof deck. Light and Access. The wide open interior stair with a glass panel rail leads from the top level down to the well insulated basement. The design of the basement, used as an away/play space, addresses the need for both natural light and easy access. In addition to the open stairwell, light is admitted to the north side of the area with a high performance, Passive House (PHI) certified skylight, covering a six by sixteen foot area. On the south side, a unique roof hatch set flush with the deck opens to reveal a glass door at the base of the stairwell which provides additional light and access from the deck above down to the play space. Energy. Energy consumption is reduced by the high performance building envelope, high efficiency mechanical systems, and then offset with renewable energy. All windows and doors are made of high performance triple paned glass with thermally broken aluminum frames. The exterior wall assembly employs dense pack cellulose in the stud cavity, a continuous air barrier, and four inches exterior rigid foam insulation. The 10kW rooftop solar electric system provides clean energy production. The final air leakage testing yielded 0.6 ACH 50 - an extremely air tight house, a testament to the well-designed details, progress testing and quality construction. When compared to a new house built to code requirements, this home consumes only 19% of the energy. Architecture & Energy Consulting: ZeroEnergy Design Landscape Design: Soren Deniord Design Paintings: Bernd Haussmann Studio Photos: Eric Roth Photography