Search results for "Challenges" in Home Design Ideas

Foyer - mid-sized farmhouse porcelain tile foyer idea in Columbus with yellow walls and a white front door

How do you expand an L shaped Eichler with the challenge of extending a long dark entry? Klopf Architecture's solution, to design a light filled atrium in the hallway to open up the bedroom expansion with green plants, sky lights and a glass wall. Not to mention the thoughtfulness of a blind door with wood siding similar to the rest of the home.
Klopf Architecture Project Team: John Klopf, AIA, Geoff Campen, Jeffrey Prose, and Angela Todorova
Contractor: William Lowe Construction
Photography ©2013 Mariko Reed
Location: Palo Alto, CA
Year completed: 2013
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New to the area, this client wanted to modernize and clean up this older 1980's home on one floor covering 3500 sq ft. on the golf course. Clean lines and a neutral material palette blends the home into the landscape, while careful craftsmanship gives the home a clean and contemporary appearance.
We first met the client when we were asked to re-design the client future kitchen. The layout was not making any progress with the architect, so they asked us to step and give them a hand. The outcome is wonderful, full and expanse kitchen. The kitchen lead to assisting the client throughout the entire home.
We were also challenged to meet the clients desired design details but also to meet a certain budget number.

photos: Kyle Born
Living room - large eclectic enclosed light wood floor and brown floor living room idea in New York with a bar, blue walls, a standard fireplace and no tv
Living room - large eclectic enclosed light wood floor and brown floor living room idea in New York with a bar, blue walls, a standard fireplace and no tv

Living room - mid-sized transitional formal and enclosed travertine floor and beige floor living room idea in San Diego with beige walls, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

The goals included a Victorian Period look and universal design features. Wider isles for wheelchair mobility was incorporated. The farm sink is pulled forward for access. the touch less faucet and anti-microbial copper sink are never a bad idea. Other interesting features include armoire doors on the oven and refrigerator and freezer doors provide access. The “Scullery Area” features flush inset doors by Woodharbor painted Morel, and features Soapstone counters with integrated drain board, custom copper undermount sink. Walnut shelves by Woodharbor for Clawson Cabinets, Antique Brackets and hardware— “customer find”. Brass rail and s hooks by deVOL. and a microwave drawer. All details that provide access at the lower level for both children and people with reach limitations.

New to the area, this client wanted to modernize and clean up this older 1980's home on one floor covering 3500 sq ft. on the golf course. Clean lines and a neutral material palette blends the home into the landscape, while careful craftsmanship gives the home a clean and contemporary appearance.
We first met the client when we were asked to re-design the client future kitchen. The layout was not making any progress with the architect, so they asked us to step and give them a hand. The outcome is wonderful, full and expanse kitchen. The kitchen lead to assisting the client throughout the entire home.
We were also challenged to meet the clients desired design details but also to meet a certain budget number.

One of the most creative and challenging coffered ceiling details we have worked on.
Manufactured by Mouldex Mouldings
Designed by Jane Lockhart Design
Executed by Hard At Work Inc.

Cottage Garden planted with roses, flowering shrubs, annuals and perennials in shades of pink, yellow, blue and white. Display Garden, Seekonk, MA.
Photo of a mid-sized rustic full sun front yard gravel garden path in Providence.
Photo of a mid-sized rustic full sun front yard gravel garden path in Providence.

Dror Baldinger Photography
Small modern one-story stucco gable roof idea in Austin
Small modern one-story stucco gable roof idea in Austin

Originally submitted for the Model Homes category, the judges felt this entry deserved an ARDA in Design Detail. Inspired by the British Revolution, the rustic yet modern style employs a neutral color scheme with various textures. Traditional elements paired with refined furniture and contemporary finishes result in a design inspired by history. Hues of gray as well as rustic wood paneling create continuity through the home. Creating each space to accommodate a family was challenging due to the narrow width of the townhome.
An ARDA for Design Details goes to
Ashton Woods
Designer: Centro Stile
From: Roswell, Georgia

The challenge for contemporary tower living is the relationship between the view and apartment. When a view is this spectacular, construction details have to be incredible to measure up to the vistas. The stone clad walls, custom wine room, and millwork from Switzerland hold their own here.
Architecture: Plainspace Architecture and Design
Interior Design: Shari Pellows Interiors
Photography: Paul Rivera Architectural Photography

Ed Ritger Photography
Kids' bedroom - bedroom transitional guest and boy medium tone wood floor and brown floor kids' bedroom idea in San Francisco with white walls
Kids' bedroom - bedroom transitional guest and boy medium tone wood floor and brown floor kids' bedroom idea in San Francisco with white walls

Renovating a kitchen in an old house the challenge is always space. This was solved in this case by adding an addition for a bay window and recessed the clean up sink into the space. The window was raised by 10” over the standard height in order to increase natural light. The refrigerator wall was pushed 24” into the adjacent space which created the proper spacing for island and walkways, as well as centering the island on the adjacent dining room.
Ample space and symmetry were achieved through this renovation.
Richly hued traditional kitchen achieved through warm wood custom cabinetry and multiple levels of light. Under cabinet down lighting as well as recessed task lighting and stepped up ceiling with up lighting all combine to give warm and vibrancy to this historic home. A large center island provides prep space and seating while a bank of natural windows at the sink wall gives ample natural light.

Challenge: design and decorate an all white work space to become a creative area kids will want to work and play in.
Managed outside sub-contractors and project managed wallpaper schedule and all installations. Selected all finishes, furnishings, decorative accessories. Hand styled all shelves.

Chief cliff rock walls terrace the hillside creating livable patio spaces in a challenging, steep-sloped backyard.
Mid-sized trendy backyard stone patio photo with a fire pit and no cover
Mid-sized trendy backyard stone patio photo with a fire pit and no cover

Sometimes the simplest things can be some of the most challenging. We built the base and top of this out of solid white oak. The shape seems simple enough but the way this is built required 48 different sides to line up nicely on the pedestal with floating mortise and tenon joinery to support it. All that on compound angles that are tapered.
The top is connected and supported via steel c channels that are recessed into the table top. This has the added benefit of keeping the table top flat on over the large cantilever.
A lot of math and planning but the end result was so amazing to see come together. And the space that it sat in was such a wonderful backdrop. We couldn't be happier with it.
As with all of our pieces, this custom dining table was hand made in San Diego, CA.

KitchenLab Interiors’ first, entirely new construction project in collaboration with GTH architects who designed the residence. KLI was responsible for all interior finishes, fixtures, furnishings, and design including the stairs, casework, interior doors, moldings and millwork. KLI also worked with the client on selecting the roof, exterior stucco and paint colors, stone, windows, and doors. The homeowners had purchased the existing home on a lakefront lot of the Valley Lo community in Glenview, thinking that it would be a gut renovation, but when they discovered a host of issues including mold, they decided to tear it down and start from scratch. The minute you look out the living room windows, you feel as though you're on a lakeside vacation in Wisconsin or Michigan. We wanted to help the homeowners achieve this feeling throughout the house - merging the causal vibe of a vacation home with the elegance desired for a primary residence. This project is unique and personal in many ways - Rebekah and the homeowner, Lorie, had grown up together in a small suburb of Columbus, Ohio. Lorie had been Rebekah's babysitter and was like an older sister growing up. They were both heavily influenced by the style of the late 70's and early 80's boho/hippy meets disco and 80's glam, and both credit their moms for an early interest in anything related to art, design, and style. One of the biggest challenges of doing a new construction project is that it takes so much longer to plan and execute and by the time tile and lighting is installed, you might be bored by the selections of feel like you've seen them everywhere already. “I really tried to pull myself, our team and the client away from the echo-chamber of Pinterest and Instagram. We fell in love with counter stools 3 years ago that I couldn't bring myself to pull the trigger on, thank god, because then they started showing up literally everywhere", Rebekah recalls. Lots of one of a kind vintage rugs and furnishings make the home feel less brand-spanking new. The best projects come from a team slightly outside their comfort zone. One of the funniest things Lorie says to Rebekah, "I gave you everything you wanted", which is pretty hilarious coming from a client to a designer.
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