Search results for "Briefing" in Home Design Ideas

Location: Tavarua Island, Fiji
The client brief on this project was for a super high performance decking that could with-stand the harsh environment of the Pacific Islands.
The resort had previously used Merbau decking, but this had given less than 10 years durability, consequently the clients were seeking a durable product with similar weathering properties.
The 30 year warranty offered by Elements Sand+ Decking along with the availability of fixed lengths and an aesthetically pleasing finish were key selling points.

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

Client: Office in London
Brief: To supply & install Burmatex 440 Sherborne grey carpet tiles to stairs as a runner.
To supply & install Colour Flooring vinyl in Concrete colour to a kitchen, all with Gradus nosings.
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Like many projects, this one started with a simple wish from a client: turn an unused butler’s pantry between the dining room and kitchen into a fully functioning, climate-controlled wine room for his extensive collection of valuable vintages. But like many projects, the wine room is connected to the dining room which is connected to the sitting room which is connected to the entry. When you touch one room, it only makes sense to reinvigorate them all. We overhauled the entire ground floor of this lovely home.
For the wine room, I worked with Vintage Cellars in Southern California to create custom wine storage embedded with LED lighting to spotlight very special bottles. The walls are in a burgundy tone and the floors are porcelain tiles that look as if they came from an old wine cave in Tuscany. A bubble light chandelier alludes to sparkling varietals.
But as mentioned, the rest of the house came along for the ride. Since we were adding a climate-controlled wine room, the brief was to turn the rest of the house into a space that would rival any hot-spot winery in Napa.
After choosing new flooring and a new hue for the walls, the entry became a destination in itself with a huge concave metal mirror and custom bench. We knocked out a half wall that awkwardly separated the sitting room from the dining room so that after-dinner drinks could flow to the fireplace surrounded by stainless steel pebbles; and we outfitted the dining room with a new chandelier. We chose all new furniture for all spaces.
The kitchen received the least amount of work but ended up being completely transformed anyhow. At first our plan was to tear everything out, but we soon realized that the cabinetry was in good shape and only needed the dated honey pine color painted over with a cream white. We also played with the idea of changing the counter tops, but once the cabinetry changed color, the granite stood out beautifully. The final change was the removal of a pot rack over the island in favor of design-forward iron pendants.
Photo by: Genia Barnes

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 wood flooring to areas
Living room - transitional light wood floor living room idea in London
Living room - transitional light wood floor living room idea in London

Client: Private Residence In Central London
Brief: To supply & install carpet to stairs
Staircase - staircase idea in London
Staircase - staircase idea in London

Client: Private Residence In Knightsbridge
Brief: To supply & install Marmoleum Granada to premises
Inspiration for a contemporary living room remodel in London
Inspiration for a contemporary living room remodel in London

Client: Private Residence In West London
Brief: To supply & install walnut wood flooring to areas
Hallway - transitional medium tone wood floor hallway idea in London with white walls
Hallway - transitional medium tone wood floor hallway idea in London with white walls

Imagine a barn that's also a home, overlooking Boulder's iconic Flatirons. The Boulder Barndominium mixes farm practicality with modern coziness, designed for efficiency and those stunning views that make every day feel special.
Client and Brief
The owners sought a simple, smart building that saves materials and energy. They wanted light-filled spaces, a west-facing unit for mountain sights, and a patio to relax outside.
Problems Solved
Energy costs and weather can add up, but solar roofs and clever orientation make it net-zero – using the sun for power and keeping things comfortable without extra bills.
Design Concept and Form
The concept is straightforward – a long rectangle with sloping roofs for panels, and high windows to bring in daylight. It feels balanced and connected to the land.
Construction and Materials
Wood framing provides strength and tradition, built to endure while staying budget-friendly.
Energy Efficiency
Solar arrays power everything, with radiant heating and east/west setup for natural warmth and light – sustainable living that's easy and effective.
Interior Design
Barn space for work and storage, dwelling with bedroom, bath, and open areas leading to the patio for seamless inside-out flow.
Outcome
Since 2020, this barndominium has been a functional, green haven. It blends utility with beauty, offering savings, views, and a sense of peace in Boulder's landscape.

Client: Private Residence In London
Brief: To supply & install wood to rooms
Inspiration for a transitional living room remodel in London
Inspiration for a transitional living room remodel in London

Clients brief was an outdoor hardwearing entertaining area to fit in with the surrounds and take in the view to the city.
Australian Hardwood was selected for the decking timbers, posts and Staircase and an outdoor kitchen installed complete with dishwasher
We also created a outdoor fire place with sandstone capping stones creating incredible atmosphere

The renovation and a modern revamp of a grand Paddington terrace house for a large family meant that every space was carefully considered including the garden. The entry level of the residence was opened up and spilt into two levels with the garden doing the same to cater for the sloping nature of the site. Large Sliding doors at the rear open up onto a generous deck/ entertaining space. To one side is a floating style built in BBQ, designed to take up the least space its light stone benchtop contrasting beautifully against the charcoal boundary wall. The brief was a tricky one with the space having to accommodate off street parking for a 4WD size car, play space for children, adults entertaining, bin storage and plunge pool.
The plunge pool was custom designed off one side of the deck (to allow for the car on the other) with a lockable sliding timber platform/ cover that when open is hidden under the deck. This meant no pool fences and a space that can be used as decking when not in use. At the rear of the pool a cluster of large contemporary cylinder pots with contrasting plantings provides extra greenery and hides a bin storage area. The pots were chosen over planting in-ground because they can be moved if needed making the space more flexible for the families needs.
Three wide steps of the deck lead down to a multipurpose synthetic lawn area that functions as the kids play space or car-parking area. Two mature Kentia palms were replanted to add greenery and a canopy of fronds over. Bamboo adds further softness along the side boundary and will grow tall to screen the neighbours.
A palette of charcoal, soft greys and whites has created a calming yet very functional space for a busy family.

Client: Private Residence In Belgravia
Brief: To supply & install striped grey carpet to stairs
Example of a minimalist staircase design in London
Example of a minimalist staircase design in London

Client: Private Residence In North London
Brief: To supply & install grey stair carpet with black border to stairs
Example of a mid-sized transitional carpeted u-shaped mixed material railing staircase design in London with carpeted risers
Example of a mid-sized transitional carpeted u-shaped mixed material railing staircase design in London with carpeted risers

The objective of this project was to create privacy and a new entrance for the street frontage of property, around existing mature trees. The design brief included carefully positioning timber steps and decking to protect tree roots, creating an inviting pathway to an obscured front door, implementing soft landscaping that would grow quickly to enhance privacy whilst conforming with strict regulations working within a heritage area.

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.

Client: Private Residence In East London
Brief: To supply & install striped carpet to stairs
Staircase - mid-sized transitional carpeted curved mixed material railing staircase idea in London with carpeted risers
Staircase - mid-sized transitional carpeted curved mixed material railing staircase idea in London with carpeted risers

Client: Private Residence In London
Brief: To supply & install grey carpet to stairs as 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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