Klopf Architecture, Arterra Landscape Architects and Henry Calvert of Calvert Ventures Designed and built a new warm, modern, Eichler-inspired, open, indoor-outdoor home on a deeper-than-usual San Mateo Highlands property where an original Eichler house had burned to the ground. The owners wanted multi-generational living and larger spaces than the original home offered, but all parties agreed that the house should respect the neighborhood and blend in stylistically with the other Eichlers. At first the Klopf team considered re-using what little was left of the original home and expanding on it. But after discussions with the owner and builder, all parties agreed that the last few remaining elements of the house were not practical to re-use, so Klopf Architecture designed a new home that pushes the Eichler approach in new directions. One disadvantage of Eichler production homes is that the house designs were not optimized for each specific lot. A new custom home offered the team a chance to start over. In this case, a longer house that opens up sideways to the south fit the lot better than the original square-ish house that used to open to the rear (west). Accordingly, the Klopf team designed an L-shaped “bar” house with a large glass wall with large sliding glass doors that faces sideways instead of to the rear like a typical Eichler. This glass wall opens to a pool and landscaped yard designed by Arterra Landscape Architects. Driving by the house, one might assume at first glance it is an Eichler because of the horizontality, the overhanging flat roof eaves, the dark gray vertical siding, and orange solid panel front door, but the house is designed for the 21st Century and is not meant to be a “Likeler.” You won't see any posts and beams in this home. Instead, the ceiling decking is a western red cedar that covers over all the beams. Like Eichlers, this cedar runs continuously from inside to out, enhancing the indoor / outdoor feeling of the house, but unlike Eichlers it conceals a cavity for lighting, wiring, and insulation. Ceilings are higher, rooms are larger and more open, the master bathroom is light-filled and more generous, with a separate tub and shower and a separate toilet compartment, and there is plenty of storage. The garage even easily fits two of today's vehicles with room to spare. A massive 49-foot by 12-foot wall of glass and the continuity of materials from inside to outside enhance the inside-outside living concept, so the owners and their guests can flow freely from house to pool deck to BBQ to pool and back. During construction in the rough framing stage, Klopf thought the front of the house appeared too tall even though the house had looked right in the design renderings (probably because the house is uphill from the street). So Klopf Architecture paid the framer to change the roofline from how we had designed it to be lower along the front, allowing the home to blend in better with the neighborhood. One project goal was for people driving up the street to pass the home without immediately noticing there is an "imposter" on this lot, and making that change was essential to achieve that goal. This 2,606 square foot, 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom Eichler-inspired new house is located in San Mateo in the heart of the Silicon Valley. Klopf Architecture Project Team: John Klopf, AIA, Klara Kevane Landscape Architect: Arterra Landscape Architects Contractor: Henry Calvert of Calvert Ventures Photography ©2016 Mariko Reed Location: San Mateo, CA Year completed: 2016

Kitchen pantry - large scandinavian u-shaped light wood floor kitchen pantry idea in Cleveland with an undermount sink, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Spanish Revival Kitchen Renovation
Example of a large tuscan u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor enclosed kitchen design in Orange County with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, quartz countertops, beige backsplash, ceramic backsplash, paneled appliances, an island and beige countertops

Living room - contemporary living room idea in New York

Light filtering cellular shades allow natural light in, while providing privacy
Inspiration for a small contemporary master porcelain tile marble floor bathroom remodel in Minneapolis with flat-panel cabinets, a two-piece toilet and an integrated sink

Home design - modern home design idea in Aarhus

This 1960s Ranch was taken from it's original red/yellow brick and painted a light grey tan color. I added a new roof and the red/maroon bleached out shutters were changed out for stained board and batten shutters. I also added a new garage door with accent pieces, exterior lighting was changed out and I extended the original front porch out by an additional 4 feet making it a true sitting porch. We also put in a tree swing in front to show the tranquility of the home and neighborhood and give the home a new young feel since the neighborhood was becoming a new hub for first time buyers with children. Photo Credit: Kimberly Schneider

These homeowners were anxiously ready to remodel their dated 80’s kitchen and reached out to Renovisions to handle the transformation. In this new undertaking we met to discuss plans to brighten the dark room with custom painted white inset cabinets, adding more functional storage, better task lighting and GE Monogram appliances, new hardwood flooring throughout and creating a better flow into the adjacent family room. In order to open up the space, Renovisions suggested creating an angle at the peninsula. Continuing with this approach we replaced the rear door with a new one-light door that swings out instead of in to accommodate new bar stools and a better flow of traffic in and out to the deck outside. Silestone’s quartz countertops in ‘Merope’ were the perfect choice adding a nice contrast yet truly durable and low maintenance. Creating a beautifully unique subway tile niche in linen color at cooktop area and backsplash added an elegant touch to the overall look and homeowners were thrilled with this refreshing look after the Renovision. Now their newly renovated kitchen is a showcase and nicely outfitted for family and friends.

Example of an eclectic living room design in London

A combining of the kitchen and former dining room into a larger kitchen and a more versatile space.
Example of a mid-sized classic l-shaped laminate floor kitchen design in Richmond with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, granite countertops, beige backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

This professional close-up highlights the premium materials and artisanal finishes of the basement bathroom in our West Seattle basement remodel. The custom walnut wood vanity features a beautiful natural grain and clean lines, providing a warm, organic contrast to the vibrant lime green accent wall. A deep white apron-front farmhouse sink serves as a timeless centerpiece, paired with a sleek, high-arc matte black faucet. The minimalist matte black drawer pulls tie the look together, reinforcing the modern farmhouse aesthetic that Better Builders is known for.

If the architectural bones need some help, it can be done! Leo added the barrel vault ceiling and paneled walls by using custom made panels from the cabinet shop. Wood soffits were added in the tasting room to creat a tray ceiling that was not there. Leo used a woven basket wallpaper on the ceiling for texture. Tumbled aged stone was added for wainscoting and reclaimed coffee sacks for Roman shades on the windows. Better Bones. Many layers that add up to better bones. Leodowelldesigns.com

Here is a few photos of the Custom Kitchen Remodel that we just completed in Inverness Illinois - No Cookie Cutter Kitchens for Better Living CUSTOM Kitchens and Baths - We are not afraid to explore different styles and colors. Custom Cabinets built by our very own Highly skilled Craftsman

This oversized walk-in shower is a centerpiece of the Better Builders West Seattle basement renovation. The design features a sophisticated two-tone tile layout, with black subway tile anchoring the lower half and white subway tile above, separated by a sleek black pencil liner. A built-in shampoo niche provides functional storage, while the high-end matte black shower head and hardware offer a modern, industrial touch. The frameless glass enclosure and large-format grey porcelain floor tiles complete this spa-like retreat, proving that a basement bathroom can achieve a high-end, primary-suite aesthetic.

Inspiration for a transitional bathroom remodel in Los Angeles

These clients enjoy cooking and entertaining, so their vision was to open and connect three separate rooms—the kitchen, sitting, and formal dining rooms—to create a single open and modern space where everyone could engage and participate in the activities. Opening these spaces required complex structural engineering. The wall removals required supporting the loads from the second floor and meeting the engineering requirements for shear wall and lateral support. These beams and their connections to the posts they sit on were a challenge to install because of the complex nature of the home's original framed. All these loads had to be carried through the finished basement below and rest on new footings below the basement floor. The center kitchen island was expansive, with a single slab countertop that would provide both workspace and counter seating. This slab, at 64x120 and 789 lbs., required careful planning for on-site labor, transfer routing, and precision installation. Natural daylight now floods the space from all directions. Recessed can lighting runs throughout the space, all on dimmers for maximum control of ambiance. The Better Builders design team guided the selection of hardwoods, staircase details, cabinetry, countertops, tile, and color. The muted palette and clean lines work well with our couple’s eclectic furnishings and artworks. Now, traffic and activities flow better, and every inch of the previously divided space is utilized and enjoyed. The outcome is exactly as our homeowners envisioned…and as we intended.

This detail-oriented shot highlights the textural and functional elements of the kitchen's transition zones. To the left, navy shaker glass-front cabinetry provides a sophisticated display for glassware, while the natural wood floating shelves offer a warm, organic contrast against the textured white subway tile backsplash. Below, the sleek arc of a matte black faucet complements the industrial-inspired aesthetic. This combination of open and closed storage, paired with high-contrast materials, creates a layered and curated look that is a hallmark of Better Builders' modern farmhouse renovations.

This homeowner loved her small, cozy house in St. Louis park, but after nearly 20 years, was ready to make the move and undergo a large remodeling project to finally gain the additional living spaces she craved daily. She desperately needed more and better storage, and dreamed of having additional space to support leisure activities such as crafting, a laundry space that didn’t depress her, a guest space, an additional space to flop down at the end of the day and watch TV, and a better, secondary bathroom for daily showering. After living in the house for so many years, a significant basement remodel would actually cost almost as much as the home itself originally was. But after years of planning, preparation and dreaming, it was finally time to take action and make her home better suit her life.

Example of a large transitional u-shaped gray floor and porcelain tile eat-in kitchen design in Detroit with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, red backsplash, mosaic tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island