Client: Private Residence In South London Brief: To supply & install grey carpet to stairs
Inspiration for a transitional carpeted u-shaped wood railing staircase remodel in London with carpeted risers

Scandi-crafted Home Interiors in Dynasty Court Tucked away atop of the Victoria Peak behind Hong Kong's unrelenting hustle and bustle, the residences found along Old Peak Road have been known to offer an oasis just within reach of the city. Set at the western point of Hong Kong Island, this panoramic neighbourhood boasts beautiful views over the town, hiking trails galore, and some of the city's priciest homes. Given its regarded status, it's of little surprise that those who live atop of The Peak chose to renovate rather than relocate as the years go by. Having worked with Clifton, ten years prior, the homeowner of the Dynasty Court Residence believed it to be time for his 1,794sq.ft three-bedroom apartment to be given a complete and total facelift. Built back in the '90s, the residence had been updated once before through Clifton's services, but with a new chapter of retirement drawing nearer, the desire for a modern touch presented itself once again – this time with inspiration from Scandinavian interiors. Given the instructions to keep the prior design of architectural and office feel but update everything, CLDW took on the role of refurbisher to their repeat client, this time however with a more curved and coloured approach than the boxey one before it. With the brief of out with the old, in with the new underway, Clifton and his team set out to deploy a modern feel to the apartment with updates to everything from the floors, walls, doors and even the appliances – prioritizing functionality and simplicity. As the kitchen had been left out of the past retouch, this time around with retirement underway in was more important to give the couple a contemporary space to explore their culinary skills. Rounded chairs and tables complement the more square-like feel of the room, with washed grey tiles and soft tan cabinets. Meanwhile, the living room and dining room were under the instructions to be void of paintings and wall decorations – with the exception of the past CD changer – as the focal point of the rooms was to remain the spectacular view which looks down upon Hong Kong's Central district all the way to the Kowloon harbourside. Again, curvey furniture can be seen among the interiors, with rounded sofas, chairs and even the coffee table. The furniture – much like the interiors – remains minimalist, as the homeowners require little to no storage space, a rare thing indeed for Hong Kong. Inside the master bedroom, the updated lighting remains concealed within the walls as another finely executed play on curves from Clifton, which ensures minimalism. Over to the guest bedroom/study, more brown tones can be seen for an Earthy feel for guests, and the Mrs of the house to do her exercises. With Scandinavian design and minimalism being one of the most popular trends of modern interior design, it takes a true professional to understand its principals of warm and natural palettes, while not too overpowering and bright. Ever present in the Dynasty Court home is the maximization of natural light, which gives it an airy environment a house at the Peak most certainly deserves.

This unique opportunity to design a new home in Millport was one which JAM Architects relished. The location of the site on a hill on the outskirts of the village presented an opportunity to design a new two bedroom home taking advantage of the views of the ocean. The unusual floorplan design with a ‘kink’ at the centre point of the building is as a result of this with the front of the home orientated to address the street and the rear half positioned to ensure the best views from the corner window in the livingroom and the master bedroom window. As a result of a recent accident our client for this project was unfortunately left with some mobility issues and our brief was therefore to design a two bedroom home with all the primary accomodation on the ground floor, with a studio space, guest bedroom and guest shower room on the first floor. The ground floor consists of a open plan kitchen, dining and living room with direct access to a generous outside patio area. In addition to this living space there is also a utility room, w.c, master bedroom and ensuite bathroom. On the first floor our client was also keen to take advantage of the sea views from this elevated position and a sheletered balcony area has been incorporated adjacent to the studio space.

Kitchen in a 1926 bungalow, done to my client's brief that it should look 'original' to the house. The three 'jewels' of the kitchen are the immaculately restored 1928 Wedgwood high-oven stove, the SubZero refrigerator/freezer designed to look like an old-fashioned ice box, and the island referencing a farmhouse table with pie-save cabinet underneath, done in ebonized oak and painted bead-board. The red Marmoleum floor has double inlaid borders, the counters are honed black granite, and the walls, cabinets, and trim are all painted a soft ocher-based cream-colour taken from a 1926 DutchBoy paint deck. Virtually everything is custom, save the sink, faucets, and pulls, done to my original designs. The Bosch dishwasher, washer, and dryer are all hidden in the cabinetry. All photographs courtesy David Duncan Livingston. (Kitchen featured in Fall 2018 AMERICAN BUNGALOW magazine)

Built on a dune overlooking Lake Michigan, this residence appears to emerge from the landscape. The project brief called for an artful house that promotes wellness and outdoor living. Rugged beauty and four-season adventure drew the owners to the area but presented challenges, including wildfire risk. The site needed a durable shelter that responsibly integrates with the environment. Clad in sand-colored stucco, the house will intentionally be obscured by grasses and junipers over time. Outdoor spaces are layered to match the undulating topography. A steel superstructure enables an ultra-thin roof with overhangs for passive solar design that withstand gale-force winds and heavy snow loads. A crushed-granite courtyard offers refuge on windy days. This space is enclosed by operable Cor-Ten panels that rotate open to reveal dune views or close for a cloistered experience. The courtyard is further defined by a deconstructed roof with an aperture that frames sky views. Expansive glazing and porcelain flooring unites interior and exterior, evoking a sense of inhabiting an infinity house. A screen porch, concealed by louvers, is a contemporary interpretation of a time-honored lake house vernacular. ​Layers of light and an edited palette of materials unify the interior and evoke a laid-back feeling of beach towns. On both levels, bronze glass walls artfully define rooms while preserving views.

Client: Private Residence In Hampstead Brief: To supply & install sisal carpet with black edging to stairs
Staircase - staircase idea in London

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 West London Brief: To supply & install herringbone carpet to stairs
Example of a transitional staircase design in London

Introducing our modern Mt Eden beauty. The brief for this elegant character home, featuring split-level open-plan living, was to brighten and modernise the space with clean lines while improving functionality and flow, especially around the cooking zone. To achieve this, we relocated the rangehood, hob and oven to the back wall, opening sightlines into the living area. We also specified modern luxuries, including an instant hot water tap, combi oven, warming drawer and matte glass induction cooktop, giving the enthusiastic home cooks everything they need for entertaining friends and family. A large bifold-door pantry with an internal benchtop and dedicated breakfast zone creates a practical space for busy mornings, along with generous storage for pantry staples. White cabinetry, shark-nose profiles, classic Primestone Calacatta Gold benchtops and chrome tapware complete the sleek design, delivering timeless appeal transforming the home for modern living.

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

Built on a dune overlooking Lake Michigan, this residence appears to emerge from the landscape. The project brief called for an artful house that promotes wellness and outdoor living. Rugged beauty and four-season adventure drew the owners to the area but presented challenges, including wildfire risk. The site needed a durable shelter that responsibly integrates with the environment. Clad in sand-colored stucco, the house will intentionally be obscured by grasses and junipers over time. Outdoor spaces are layered to match the undulating topography. A steel superstructure enables an ultra-thin roof with overhangs for passive solar design that withstand gale-force winds and heavy snow loads. A crushed-granite courtyard offers refuge on windy days. This space is enclosed by operable Cor-Ten panels that rotate open to reveal dune views or close for a cloistered experience. The courtyard is further defined by a deconstructed roof with an aperture that frames sky views. Expansive glazing and porcelain flooring unites interior and exterior, evoking a sense of inhabiting an infinity house. A screen porch, concealed by louvers, is a contemporary interpretation of a time-honored lake house vernacular. ​Layers of light and an edited palette of materials unify the interior and evoke a laid-back feeling of beach towns. On both levels, bronze glass walls artfully define rooms while preserving views.

The design brief for this garden was to create an inviting entry with a woodland feel that would complement the home's earthy color scheme and thoughtful architectural details. Majestic Sequoia sempervirens 'Aptos Blue' (Aptos Blue Coastal Redwood), with its pendant deep blue-green branches, shields the expanded porch from the afternoon sun. Selected for its ability to look good in sun or shade, Carex divulsa (Berkeley sedge) makes a lush ground cover, weaving through the trees and along the new slate walk. In fall, muhlenbergia capillaris explodes with feathery pink plumes. Photos by Martin Cox Photography.

Introducing our modern Mt Eden beauty. The brief for this elegant character home, featuring split-level open-plan living, was to brighten and modernise the space with clean lines while improving functionality and flow, especially around the cooking zone. To achieve this, we relocated the rangehood, hob and oven to the back wall, opening sightlines into the living area. We also specified modern luxuries, including an instant hot water tap, combi oven, warming drawer and matte glass induction cooktop, giving the enthusiastic home cooks everything they need for entertaining friends and family. A large bifold-door pantry with an internal benchtop and dedicated breakfast zone creates a practical space for busy mornings, along with generous storage for pantry staples. White cabinetry, shark-nose profiles, classic Primestone Calacatta Gold benchtops and chrome tapware complete the sleek design, delivering timeless appeal transforming the home for modern living.

Client: Private Residence In Central London Brief: To supply & install a red carpet stair runner
Inspiration for a timeless carpeted u-shaped wood railing staircase remodel in London with carpeted risers

Client: Private Residence In South London Brief: To supply & install silk simulant carpet from Natural Elements to stairs
Mid-sized transitional carpeted u-shaped wood railing staircase photo in London with carpeted risers

This amazing remodel by J.S. Brown & Co. in the River Forest neighborhood in Dublin, Ohio was designed with sunshine in mind! By removing an interior wall, the kitchen was completely opened to the adjacent sunroom for maximum views of the spectacular back yard. Also on the mission brief from the homeowners was shady place to enjoy their yard outdoors. A large roof over a paver patio was just the ticket for watching the grandkids run around in cool comfort.

Client: Private Residence In South London Brief: To supply & install silk simulant carpet from Natural Elements to stairs
Staircase - mid-sized transitional carpeted u-shaped wood railing staircase idea in London with carpeted risers

The brief for this bathroom was to create a serene spa like feeling with updated and modern storage options.
Mid-sized transitional master bathroom photo in Ottawa with a freestanding vanity

Client: Private Residence In West London Brief: To supply & install grey carpet with black border to stairs
Staircase - staircase idea in London