Our client’s stunning modern home is large, with a complex floor plan, involving several levels of entrances and exits, requiring a sprawling circulation plan of terraces, walks and staircases. We installed seven staircases and thousands of square feet of surfaces, as well as a highly involved draining system, with our goal being to tie everything together. We call this project “Multi-Level Magic” for obvious reasons: the result is gorgeous. The staircases all had unique riser heights and tread depths with fine tuning and design revisions handled by our landscape architects. The pavers made of imported travertine - a form of limestone deposited by mineral hot springs - had to be installed on a precise grid, involving constant monitoring of joint placement, as the same paving material and pattern existed inside the home and, with large picture windows, the joint placement had to flow seamlessly inside to outside. Our work was finished just in time for a huge moving-in party. This project was one of the most challenging installations our team had ever been involved with, and the client was very pleased in the end.

Benjamin Benschneider
Example of an urban open staircase design in Seattle

Living room - modern living room idea in New York

Gorgeous master bath finished with Dal-Tile's Fabrique porcelain tile in the color Noir Linen polished. Tile size is 12"x24" installed in a brick joint pattern. The floor boasts underfloor heating on a timed thermostat.

Quarry House, a shingled two story house with dark green trim, is pinned to the solid ledge on the sea coast of Connecticut. The narrow house sits under a spine of a roof, running south to north, with the primary living in a ‘head’, at the north end, where the best views are. The circulation of the site and house follows this massing, through two courts, the lower more public, and the upper more private. The lower court is defined by the garage building, and by the south face of the house. From this first court, a well-defined portal leads to an arcade, which, flanking the main wing of the house, pulls one along the second and higher court. The L of the main house and the tool shed define the garden court. Both courts withhold the view. The actual front door is nearly half-way into the house. From there, a short passage brings one to the primary living space where the view unfolds across a syncopated rhythm of windows, first overlooking an intimate tidal inlet and, then, turning west, to the longer view of the Long Island Sound, where a cantilevered deck seems to float over the rock. A clerestory window, hidden in a dormer, brings south light into this room. A final point: the 3400 square foot house, with its deeply insulated 12” thick walls and roofing, runs on a low energy load. An HRV ensures a constant cycle of fresh air even in heating season.

The interior of this spacious, upscale Bauhaus-style home, designed by our Boston studio, uses earthy materials like subtle woven touches and timber and metallic finishes to provide natural textures and form. The cozy, minimalist environment is light and airy and marked with playful elements like a recurring zig-zag pattern and peaceful escapes including the primary bedroom and a made-over sun porch. --- Project designed by Boston interior design studio Dane Austin Design. They serve Boston, Cambridge, Hingham, Cohasset, Newton, Weston, Lexington, Concord, Dover, Andover, Gloucester, as well as surrounding areas. For more about Dane Austin Design, click here: https://daneaustindesign.com/ To learn more about this project, click here: https://daneaustindesign.com/weston-bauhaus

This stained glass window was created as part of our signature Aspen Stained Glass line. These windows look beautiful in cottage style or contemporary homes and are a great way for outdoor enthusiasts to celebrate their love of nature. The textured appearance of the glass provides the homeowners with a high level of privacy and comfort.

Home design - transitional home design idea in Wichita

PEACOCK FANTASY - Custom Designed Peacock Wall Mural in brilliant colors. Notice how it has just the right amount of color | Have a custom mosaic idea? We can help, with our brilliant Italian-trained mosaicists and easy-to-install tiled masterpieces. Worldwide shipping available on the complete range of quality handcrafted marble & glass mosaic products. For inquires and more info, contact us: http://mecartworks.com

Shower Floor: Atlas Concorde, Color: Wool, herringbone mosaic Wall tile: Portofino Pulido by Porcelanosa, 23" x 47"
Freestanding bathtub - mid-sized transitional master porcelain tile and gray tile porcelain tile, double-sink and brown floor freestanding bathtub idea in San Francisco with shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, a one-piece toilet, an undermount sink, quartz countertops, gray countertops, a niche, a built-in vanity and gray walls

Mannington Adura LVT Napa, color Tanin
Elegant vinyl floor bedroom photo

All of the drapery panels throughout the main level of the house were hand embroidered down the leading of edge of the ivory linen face panels with this moorish inspired pattern. A natural, open weave, sheer fabric is attached to the backs of the panels, exposed at the leading edges. This application adds lovely texture from the outside of the home, softening the ivory and blending with the stone and stucco exterior.

Minimalist dark wood floor kitchen photo in San Francisco

Wood-look tile floor using porcelain plank tiles in a herringbone pattern.
Living room - traditional porcelain tile living room idea in Sacramento

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

BC FLOORS
Mid-sized minimalist dark wood floor and brown floor hallway photo in Vancouver with white walls

This is one our longest running projects, developed in phases over ten years. Cobblestone driveway, old world craftsmanship, one of a kind elements.
Inspiration for a large timeless backyard patio remodel in Baltimore with no cover

Inspiration for a small contemporary full sun front yard gravel landscaping in Orange County for spring.

Corbin Henry
Example of a tuscan family room design in Sacramento