Brief: Create storage option and elegant wow factor upon entering open space. This Cb2 console was the ideal piece to both create storage options and tie all open spaces together. We kept the decor simple and bright. The West Elm frameless mirror was the perfect final touch!

Client: Private Residence In West London Brief: To supply & install wood flooring to areas
Transitional light wood floor living room photo in London

Client: Private Residence In London Brief: To supply & install Amtico herringbone design to customer’s floor
Hallway - hallway idea in London

Client: Private Residence In South London Brief: To supply & install brown carpet to stairs
Example of a mid-sized classic carpeted u-shaped staircase design in London with carpeted risers

Client: Private Residence In South London Brief: To supply & install brown carpet to stairs as a runner with whipping
Inspiration for a staircase remodel in London

The brief for this house was for a Hampton style beach resort type design...designed by Burleigh Beach Designs and constructed by Listonia Landscaping. Photos by Listonia Landscaping

A photo of the front before the landscape was installed, with only grass and one undistinguished tree (now removed, and replaced with a flowering Saucer Magnolia and a mixed bulb/perennials garden). There were no foundation plantings, and there was parking for only 2 cars. The gardens were transformed in phases over a number of years. The client brief was for a garden with 4-season interest, with a mixed planting of trees, shrubs, perennials, bulbs and ground cover. The intention was to have an organic garden which attracted pollinators and birds, as well as being a relaxing retreat for a family of 5. The soft- and hardscaping were phased in gradually both in the front and backyard.

Client: Private Residence In South London Brief: To supply & install walnut flooring to rooms
Mid-sized transitional medium tone wood floor living room photo in London

A neutral colour palette was the main aspect of the brief setting the tone for a sophisticated and elegant home. The main tile we chose is called "Paris White". It is a light colour tile with darker flecks and gently undulating vein patterning reminiscent of sandy shorelines. It has a smooth matt surface that feels lovely to the touch and is very easy to clean. We used this tile on both the walls and the floor of this Family bathroom. We combined the tile with feature mosaics and pebbles to add interest and texture. The mosaic has glass pieces which catch the light and reflect it. The pebbles have an impeccably smooth feel and while neutral in tone the variance in stone colours create a dynamic interplay. The brushed gold tapware possesses a gentle hue, and its brushed finish exudes a timeless, classic appeal.

Client: Private Residence In West London Brief: To supply & install grey carpet to stairs
Example of a transitional carpeted u-shaped wood railing staircase design in London with carpeted risers

Our clients for this project are a professional couple with a young family. They approached us to help with extending and improving their home in London SW2 to create an enhanced space both aesthetically and functionally for their growing family. We were appointed to provide a full architectural and interior design service, including the design of some bespoke furniture too. A core element of the brief was to design a kitchen living and dining space that opened into the garden and created clear links from inside to out. This new space would provide a large family area they could enjoy all year around. We were also asked to retain the good bits of the current period living spaces while creating a more modern day area in an extension to the rear. It was also a key requirement to refurbish the upstairs bathrooms while the extension and refurbishment works were underway. The solution was a 21m2 extension to the rear of the property that mirrored the neighbouring property in shape and size. However, we added some additional features, such as the projecting glass box window seat. The new kitchen features a large island unit to create a workspace with storage, but also room for seating that is perfect for entertaining friends, or homework when the family gets to that age. The sliding folding doors, paired with floor tiling that ran from inside to out, created a clear link from the garden to the indoor living space. Exposed brick blended with clean white walls creates a very contemporary finish throughout the extension, while the period features have been retained in the original parts of the house.

Kitchen in a 1926 bungalow done to my clients brief that it should look 'original' to the house. The three stars of the kitchen are the immaculately restored 1928 high-oven WEDGWOOD stove, the SubZero refrigerator/freezer disguised to look like a vintage ice-box, complete with vintage hardware, and the kitchen island, designed to reference a farm-house table with a pie-save underneath, done in ebonized oak and painted bead-board. The floor is lip-stick red Marmoleum with double inlaid black borders, the counters are honed black granite, and the cabinets, walls, and trim are painted a soft cream-color taken from a 1926 Dutch Boy paint deck. All photographs are courtesy David Duncan Livingston. (Kitchen featured in the Fall 2018 issue of AMERICAN BUNGALOW.)

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

Client: Private Residence In Islington Brief: To supply & install Staki Wood Flooring Lacquer BP to premises
Inspiration for a contemporary living room remodel in London

Client: Private Residence In South London Brief: To supply & install hardwood flooring to premises
Trendy hallway photo in London

Client: Private Residence In London Brief: To supply & install black carpet with black binding to stairs
Transitional carpeted u-shaped wood railing staircase photo in London with carpeted risers

The Pastel colors are selected for the home because we had to fulfill the brief we were told; to give luxurious, soft, and peaceful yet not boring space. So we created a color palette with pastels and we’re loving it!! The curves are a signature element used to create a language.

e were especially pleased to work with this lovely client again, having designed a kitchen for her previously. This new project consisted of two briefs to maximise the space and natural light for a bijoux annexe; Design a sleek contemporary open plan kitchen plus utility. Design bedroom storage and a home working space within the open plan area. To achieve the contemporary uncluttered style that would maximise the sense of light and space, a true handleless design was the obvious choice. The main run of cabinets in the kitchen and on the wardrobe doors are acrylic gloss with a ply edge. The light reflecting qualities of the gloss doors is further accentuated by the tropical green toughened glass panel behind the sink. We just love this injection of colour. It not only really suits this modern space but will look fabulous when the patio area is developed. Our customer is planning to create a beautiful green oasis with plants on the patio, which will just make this area feel so connected to the outside. The sink area is finished off perfectly with a black Quooker Fusion tap. The kitchen island offers a great contrast with the main run of furniture. The concrete effect handleless doors and Konigstone quartz ‘Concrete fossil’ worktop create a real feature, and provide some texture. Extending the worktop down over the sides of the island complements the seamless and uncluttered style of this kitchen perfectly. Not only does it look great, but its a practical space too. Built into the island is an evo port for sockets, enabling it to double up as a work and food prep area. For a final flourish, the glass shelves are all fitted with LED lights behind them, offering more ambient lighting options.

Client: Private Residence In West London Brief: To supply & install carpet to stairs
Staircase - transitional carpeted curved staircase idea in London