Search results for "Briefing" in Home Design Ideas

We are delighted to have completed the radical transformation of a tired detached property in South Croydon.
When they appointed Granit, our clients were living in the property which had previously been divided into a number of flats.
The historic sub-division had resulted in an extremely poor use of space with redundant staircases, kitchens and bathrooms throughout.
Our clients sought to reconfigure the property back into a single dwelling for his growing family.
Our client had an eye for design and was keen to balance contemporary design whilst maintaining as much of the character of the original house.
Maximising natural light, space and establishing a visual and physical connection were also key drivers for the design. Owing to the size of the property, it became apparent that reconfiguration rather than extension provided the solution to meet the brief.
A metal clad ‘intervention’ was introduced to the rear facade. This created a strong horizontal element creating a visual balance with the vertical nature of the three storey gable.
The metal cladding specified echoed the colour of the red brick string courses tying old with new. Slender frame sliding doors provide access and views of the large garden.
The central circulation space was transformed by the introduction of a double height glazed slot wrapping up the rear facade and onto the roof. This allows daylight to permeate into the heart of the otherwise dark deep floor plan. The staircase was reconfigured into a series of landings looking down over the main void space below and out towards the tree canopies at the rear of the garden.
The introduction of double pocket doors throughout the ground floor creates a series of interconnected spaces and the whitewashed Larch flooring flows seamlessly from room to room. A bold palette of colours and materials lends character and texture throughout the property.
The end result is a spacious yet cosy environment for the family to inhabit for years to come.

Client: Private Residence In North London
Brief: To supply & install purple carpet to stairs and areas
Example of a mid-sized trendy carpeted u-shaped wood railing staircase design in London with carpeted risers
Example of a mid-sized trendy carpeted u-shaped wood railing staircase design in London with carpeted risers

Client: Private Residence In North London
Brief: To supply & install grey carpet to stairs & rooms
Inspiration for a transitional carpeted u-shaped mixed material railing staircase remodel in London
Inspiration for a transitional carpeted u-shaped mixed material railing staircase remodel in London
Find the right local pro for your project

Client: Private Residence In North London
Brief: To supply & install grey carpet to stairs
Staircase - modern carpeted u-shaped wood railing staircase idea in London with carpeted risers
Staircase - modern carpeted u-shaped wood railing staircase idea in London with carpeted risers

THE BRIEF
Lengthy consultations with the client and her family over an 18 month period (during which a well was discovered underneath the foundations) revealed their relaxed approach to living and desire for a modern-classic look. The shape of the room and the request for 5 domino hobs determined the need for a large and sociable island. It was also important to provide the perfect place for the family to gather whilst mum cooks. A large kitchen sink was particularly desired by the owners who wanted to be able to use this area as a wet zone work station.
THE CHALLENGE
With such a large number of cabinets within this kitchen we created diversity and interest by introducing three harmonising finishes; sterling grey, walnut and truffle grey; each defining their own zones. Onto these we added 4 different handle types to accent the different areas and create interest and individuality. Integrating a Kohler Stages sink into a Stainless steel work top provided the perfect wet zone area, whereas on the island the Blanco Rivers Silestone offers a more classic and homely appeal without compromising practicality.
THE OUTCOME
This new kitchen is a world apart from the clients original wooden in-frame kitchen. Its understated style is innately calming whilst the careful space planning means that it is fantastically practical and a joy to use. In the main kitchen galley area the user has easy access to sink, cooking and refrigeration within a few steps. The perimeter areas of the kitchen house the ovens and the display storage and allow for easy passage way to the living/dining area without interrupting the working area.

inspired by the client's brief for a mediterranean look with retro touches, this is our proposal for the second floor of a beautiful seafront townhouse. while keeping a more classical feel in the lower floors of the house, we have worked on a contemporary look on the first floor, mirroring the fact that this is a newly built floor.

Client: Private Residence In East London
Brief: To supply & install beige carpet with some stripes to stairs
Mid-sized trendy carpeted u-shaped mixed material railing staircase photo in London with carpeted risers
Mid-sized trendy carpeted u-shaped mixed material railing staircase photo in London with carpeted risers

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

Brickyard is home to clients passionate about contemporary architecture. They envisioned a private refuge that maintains a strong connection to nature while preserving walkable access to city life. The project brief included space to accommodate their extended family and a lounge with skyline views.
Constructed from steel, brick and glass, the home has a refined modern aesthetic that nods to Chicago’s industrial history. Its L-shaped footprint creates an open plan sanctuary that shelters a landscaped yard.
A perforated screen wall defines the front elevation, adding privacy while allowing natural light to filter through. Made from custom tapered bricks, this sculptural element casts dynamic shadows and evokes a sense of movement across the facade as the sun shifts through the day. This design elevates the material, creating a luxurious texture that transforms the building’s exterior.

Overview
Whole house refurbishment, double storey wrap around extension and large loft conversion.
The Brief
Create a WOW factor space, add glamour and fun and give the house a street side and garden side, both different.
Our Solution
This project was exciting from the start, the client wanted to entertain in a WOW factor space, have a panoramic view of the garden (which was to be landscaped), add bedrooms and a great master suite.
We had some key elements to introduce such as an aquarium separating two rooms; double height spaces and a gloss kitchen, all of which manifest themselves in the completed scheme.
Architecture is a process taking a schedule of areas, some key desires and needs, mixing the functionality and creating space.
New spaces transform a house making it more valuable, giving it kerb appeal and making it feel like a different building. All of which happened at Ailsa Road.

Occupying a prominent property in Notting Hill, the brief for this 120 sq m apartment was to rationalise a sequence of disconnected spaces in order to create a coherent design.
The palette of materials is restrained in order to provide a neutral backdrop for the client’s collection of furniture and artworks. High quality finishes and detailing include shadow gaps, full height door apertures, concealed storage and limed oak flooring, together with a library area equipped with bespoke storage to display books and objets d’art.
A notable feature of the apartment is the corner ‘rotunda’, now accommodating a shower-room; the rotunda’s roof structure has been exposed to add architectural interest.
Throughout the apartment, great care has been taken to maximise natural light

Client: Private Residence In South London
Brief: To supply & install Karndean to bedroom
Bedroom - contemporary bedroom idea in London
Bedroom - contemporary bedroom idea in London

The BG winery was the subject of a renovation in order to improve for the needs of its visitors.
The famous and delicious wine presentations and tastings are the main attractions at this fabulous place. Therefore, we placed the bar in front of the entrance to be directly seen when entering. As a decorative element it is featuring displays of soils.
Because the groups of visitor vary in size, but also because the space is used as an exquisite breakfast area for the guests of the nearby inn, we came up with a new idea: The division of the space by a glass wall. Consequently, this results in an event space or a private dining room. The convertible approach adds flexibility and dynamic to the whole place.
Furthermore, we enabled the large hallway of the winery going towards the restrooms to be used as a wardrobe for larger gatherings. Meanwhile, the additional room serves as a VIP lounge for only the finest guests.
The design team took everything into consideration while preparing layouts, developing individual objects and finetuning details: clients’ needs, the nice location and the usage of the attractive space. We designed in detail all furniture elements, while using reclaimed wood from old wine barrels for table tops and accent walls. In this regard the winery as a location of joy and community feels and breathes authentic. The whole interior design is rustic with fine touches of modern, resulting in a suiting atmosphere.
As for the color scheme, we proposed a pastel blue as a contrast to the reclaimed wood. Touches of color in the Patchwork tiles around the bar area and a mixture of hand-made lamps mix to roud up the rustic vibe.
Share your ideas for your location with us in a brief introductory call, free of charge.

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

RALD
The brief for this 'sunken garden' was to create raised borders in order to combat the seasonal flooding that this area of a large country garden experiences. The existing terrace was to also be removed, with the addition of a Yorkstone terrace - of much larger dimensions - creating a focal point and bringing better scale and proportion to the area. A planting palette of whites and blues help to create a calm, soothing atmosphere on what is the main dining terrace in the garden, whilst Box balls help to provide structure all year round.

Occasionally our initial intentions are slight. As the excitement of anew begins, revisions and additions are undeniably part of the winning recipe.
Lovers of entertainment, these clients’ hankering for both comfort and play were the catalysts for this neo-rustic design.
A waterfront property where both the façade and courtyard are clad with 12 foot high curtains walls.
The heart of the home has been established as the ‘Boys Room’. To the right of the bar area are smoked full height windows providing a picturesque backdrop to the hobbyists’ six car garage.
The floors and walls are thoroughly dressed with solid hickory graphite lumber.
The essence of the massive spruce ceiling beams is mimicked in the offset bar console.
The Casino Royal poker sphere leaves no stone unturned with the service area directly in its wake. Duel full height liquor storage units render a brief moment of colorful eye candy. Industrial style filament light fixtures lend to a delicate glow.
Directly below the metal star spangle, access to the workshop goes undetected.

Studio IAAD | Hines Conscient Elevate, Gurugram
A tranquil retreat from city-life
Located in the plush suburbs of Gurugram in NCR, Elevate is a co-venture housing project marking the collaboration of Hines and Conscient, two major league developers in the Indian real estate sector. Spread across an area of about 10,000 sq.ft., the design scope comprised architecture, interiors, landscaping and FFE, skillfully realized by Studio IAAD.
The holistic design brief allowed for a versatile and flexible intervention; the idea was to 'elevate' the person entering the condominiums from the chaos of the noisy world's frantic pace to a quieter, peaceful space where they can relax and take a breath of fresh air. The biophilic approach, a signature of Studio IAAD's brand, nurtures an intimate connection of the user with nature without foregoing modern comforts, whilst employing greenery as a buffer to mute the clangour of the cosmopolitan city, enabling well-being.
Nestled in a forest-like setting, the approach to the house evokes tranquility. The visitor is greeted with a narrow pathway on entry, wrapped in an enclosing thicket of overarching trees. It trails up to a circular courtyard with a sculpture at its nucleus, that embodies the aesthetics of grace, harmony and serenity. This courtyard connects to the building through a dynamic walkway peppered with abundant tropical trees and blossoming petunia flower beds on either side, activating the pedestrian experience and crafting a blissful forest-like environment. Encompassed within green canopies, the building seems to emerge from the verdant landscape, akin to the trees that surround it.
Steeped in a contemporary theme, the design also nods to rustic simplicity and examples of European aesthetics in the interiors. The structure metaphorically manifests itself as a glass box at the ground level, wrapped in transparent ribbons of glazing and holding up the levitating opaque mass that houses the private enclosed spaces on top. The expansive glass walls offer unhindered views of the scenic splendour around, enriching the visual experience. A sleek metal skeleton supports the structure, framing the glass facade and giving it a modern edge, thereby reducing the need for boxy columns. An open courtyard that forms the nexus of the project creates a niche in the building mass, dividing it into two distinct parts that remain visually connected. A conscious intervention places multiple human-form sculptures by Mukul Goyal to adorn the courtyard space with their faces directed towards the sky, representing the notion of being liberated and 'elevated'.
Within the main dwelling, the ground floor accommodates the experience centre, a lounge, a café and the audio-visual room leading up to the show apartment, kids’ room, a lounge and meeting rooms at the top level. The seating spaces of the reception, outdoor deck, café and lounge are stitched together around the central courtyard in an unceasing dialogue with each other and the infinite open sky. The spaces flow into one another and unfold as one moves along, enabling a gradual unwinding of the sensory experience instead of making a colossal impact instantly. Careful planning allows the optimization of spaces and an easy concourse of commodious rooms. The audio-visual room is a theatrical experience that allows the visitors to watch a movie when the screen is down and reveals the model room as the screen lifts, unravelling an added dimension. For experience centres, it is imperative to hold the visitor's attention, so the spaces have been designed cohesively in tandem with this intent. A specially designed kids’ room allows young families to explore the building in uninterrupted peace while their kids indulge in recreational activities. The staircase is designed using opulent chandeliers to usher the visitors from the lifts towards the stairs in order to make the ascent a part of the enchanting experience.
The three-bedroom show apartment is finished in inconspicuous, neutral tones and materials, allowing potential home-buyers to layer their personalities onto the house. Each user can relate to their own space, making it a unique selling point for the apartment. Taking a cue from the natural surroundings, a soothing play of textures by ribbed wooden cladding and mirror panelling in subdued browns forms the highlight of the living room, accentuated by flooring and furniture in pristine white. A wrap-around balcony ties two bedrooms and a corner of the living room, creating a sizable spill-out space for relaxation and recreation, enabling transcendence into the enveloping quietude. A juxtaposition of course, with the fine, awe-inspiring artworks adorn the walls of the house, leaving a solid and lingering impression on the minds of the visitor with a recall factor long after they have left. The artistry conjoined with carpets and lighting accessories in fresh and vibrant hues comes together and serenades the space with a warm, welcoming vibe- constituting a harmonious whole that exceeds the sum of its parts. A view gallery outside the apartment frames the sylvan panoramic vistas beneath the blue banner of the sky, acting as the epitome of the experience of 'Elevate' housing.
Many accessories, including lighting fixtures and furniture, have been reused from a previous project, facilitating a sustainable approach to waste management. The sculptures will also become a part of the landscape in the housing project. Concentric cut-outs in the ceiling are designed to achieve a minimal yet elegant look, integrating both HVAC and lighting services into one. The structure is designed with metal, glass and wood as principal materials for quick construction, deconstruction and reuse.
The design corroborates a dialogue between the experience centre and the show apartments through a similar theme and vocabulary. Envisioned as a boutique hotel, the building is averse to the prevailing treatment of experience centres as an afterthought to housing developments. The ethereal slow-burn experience compels the visitor to sit and ponder, escaping in the forest's therapeutic solitude, away from the outer world, becoming a placid haven that people want to connect to, engage with and inhabit.

Client: Private Residence In East London
Brief: To supply & install grey carpet with a black border to stairs
Staircase - mid-sized transitional carpeted u-shaped mixed material railing staircase idea in London
Staircase - mid-sized transitional carpeted u-shaped mixed material railing staircase idea in London

Client: Private Residence In Central London
Brief: To supply & install carpet to stairs as a runner
Mid-sized transitional carpeted u-shaped wood railing staircase photo in London with carpeted risers
Mid-sized transitional carpeted u-shaped wood railing staircase photo in London with carpeted risers
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