Martha Stewart Living Ox Hill PureStyle cabinetry in Sharkey Grey. Martha Stewart Living Corian countertop in Tundra. Martha Stewart Living hardware in Bedford Nickel. All available exclusively at The Home Depot.

Close-up of the bluestone inlays within the concrete patio. Renn Kuhnen Photography
Example of a mid-sized 1960s backyard concrete patio design in Milwaukee

Our customers came to us with a desire to open up their kitchen into the dining and living rooms. They wanted an open concept to make their home more comfortable and easy to get around in when their grandchildren came over to visit. We were able to take down two walls and leave a post where the island is currently located. We were also able to continue and match the hardwood floors in the kitchen. The ginger stained cabinets and the under cabinet lighting add a warmth to the kitchen. The staggered wall cabinets with the large crown mounding added an interesting touch. And lastly the washing machine was moved from the basement into the kitchen for easier access to our customers who have a hard time walking up and down the staircase. The customers love their new kitchen and enjoy spending time with their family.

Elegant living spaces continue on the lower level, where a sizable rec room enjoys abundant windows, a fireplace, wet bar, and wine cellar tucked away by the stairs. Three large bedrooms, two with patio access, and three full bathrooms provide space for guests or family. G. Frank Hart Photography http://www.gfrankhartphoto.com

First installation of its kind. Two Oversize 9’ x 16’ grand patio openings by NanaWall, expand indoor living to the great outdoors. Heat lamps surrounding the grand openings create a heat blanket that extend outdoor entertaining in spring and fall. Custom IPE boardwalk with flush-mounted perimeter LED lighting borders entire 32’ span for ease of access. Two completely mitered marble fire features, anchor the gathering places for best views. From planes, boats & helicopters, ambient sound from the serene waterfall creates a peaceful environment in busy Coal Harbour. Fully automated lighting and audio system, allows residents and guests experience amazing city backdrops from dawn to dusk where the sunset welcomes the night with city lights in style. Chef sized 48” Wolf BBQ allows you to dine company at centre stage. Basalt stepping stones also lead you to more private spaces to continue conversations away from the main patios.

To provide much-needed storage, the laundry was converted into a scullery, with extra benchtop space and an oversized sink. The scullery also discreetly houses the fridge/freezer and microwave. Gentle pendant lighting washes over striking square-edged benchtops, creating perfect working conditions and a sense of calm and space. Photographer: Tony Gatman Auckland, New Zealand.

Inspired by another mid-century modern home the client owned, this new residence represents a much larger 21st-century version built into the gently sloping hillside to take advantage of the sprawling hilltop views of the Sonoma valley. The quiet front facade leads guests into a formal entry that divides the house into private and public spaces. Rounding the corner into the great room, one is immediately hit by the breathtaking view that extends outward beyond the infinity pool and deck through a continuous wall of glass. In the opposite direction, each of the three bedrooms was designed with its own seating area and bathroom, creating private suites for family members and guests alike. The linear design and open, flowing living spaces provide almost every room with outdoor access to the expansive patio, protected from the Sonoma heat by deep overhangs. Warm woods, clean lines, and a rhythmic post and beam ceiling design create a homey feeling of rest and relaxation, evoking the essence of modern California living. Klopf Architecture project team: Geoff Campen, Ethan Taylor, Noel Andrade, and John Klopf Landscape Architects: Arterra Landscape Architects Structural Engineer: ZFA Contractor: Eames Construction Photography: ©2022 Mariko Reed Completion year: 2022

First installation of its kind. Two Oversize 9’ x 16’ grand patio openings by NanaWall, expand indoor living to the great outdoors. Heat lamps surrounding the grand openings create a heat blanket that extend outdoor entertaining in spring and fall. Custom IPE boardwalk with flush-mounted perimeter LED lighting borders entire 32’ span for ease of access. Two completely mitered marble fire features, anchor the gathering places for best views. From planes, boats & helicopters, ambient sound from the serene waterfall creates a peaceful environment in busy Coal Harbour. Fully automated lighting and audio system, allows residents and guests experience amazing city backdrops from dawn to dusk where the sunset welcomes the night with city lights in style. Chef sized 48” Wolf BBQ allows you to dine company at centre stage. Basalt stepping stones also lead you to more private spaces to continue conversations away from the main patios.

VPC’s featured Custom Home Project of the Month for March is the spectacular Mountain Modern Lodge. With six bedrooms, six full baths, and two half baths, this custom built 11,200 square foot timber frame residence exemplifies breathtaking mountain luxury. The home borrows inspiration from its surroundings with smooth, thoughtful exteriors that harmonize with nature and create the ultimate getaway. A deck constructed with Brazilian hardwood runs the entire length of the house. Other exterior design elements include both copper and Douglas Fir beams, stone, standing seam metal roofing, and custom wire hand railing. Upon entry, visitors are introduced to an impressively sized great room ornamented with tall, shiplap ceilings and a patina copper cantilever fireplace. The open floor plan includes Kolbe windows that welcome the sweeping vistas of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The great room also includes access to the vast kitchen and dining area that features cabinets adorned with valances as well as double-swinging pantry doors. The kitchen countertops exhibit beautifully crafted granite with double waterfall edges and continuous grains. VPC’s Modern Mountain Lodge is the very essence of sophistication and relaxation. Each step of this contemporary design was created in collaboration with the homeowners. VPC Builders could not be more pleased with the results of this custom-built residence.

  Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   Lakefront property in the northwest suburbs of Chicago is hard to come by, so when we were hired by this young family with exactly that, we were immediately inspired by not just the unusually large footprint of this 1950’s colonial revival but also the lovely views of the manmade lake it was sited on. The large 5-bedroom home was solidly stuck in the 1980’s, but we saw tons of potential. We started out by updating the existing staircase with a fresh coat of paint and adding new herringbone slate to the entry hall. The powder room off the entryway also got a refresh - new flooring, new cabinets and fixtures. We ran the new slate right through into this space for some consistency. A fun wallpaper and shiplap trim add a welcoming feel and set the tone for the home. Next, we tackled the kitchen. Located away from the rest of the first floor, the kitchen felt a little isolated, so we immediately began planning for how to better connect it to the rest of the first floor. We landed on removing the wall between the kitchen and dining room and designed a modified galley style space with separate cooking and clean up zones. The cooking zone consists of the refrigerator, prep sink and cooktop, along with a nice long run of prep space at the island. The cleanup side of the kitchen consists of the main sink and dishwasher. Both areas are situated so that the user can view the lake during prep work and cleanup! One of the home’s main puzzles was how to incorporate the mudroom and area in front of the patio doors at the back of the house. We already had a breakfast table area, so the space by the patio doors was a bit of a no man’s land. We decided to separate the kitchen proper from what became the new mudroom with a large set of barn doors. That way you can quickly hide any mudroom messes but have easy access to the light coming in through the patio doors as well as the outdoor grilling station. We also love the impact the barn doors add to the overall space. The homeowners’ first words to us were “it’s time to ditch the brown,” so we did! We chose a lovely blue pallet that reflects the home’s location on the lake which is also vibrant yet easy on the eye. Countertops are white quartz, and the natural oak floor works well with the other honey accents. The breakfast table was given a refresh with new chairs, chandelier and window treatments that frame the gorgeous views of the lake out the back. We coordinated the slate mudroom flooring with that used in the home’s main entrance for a consistent feel. The storage area consists of open and closed storage to allow for some clutter control as needed. Next on our “to do” list was revamping the dated brown bar area in the neighboring dining room. We eliminated the clutter by adding some closed cabinets and did some easy updates to help the space feel more current. One snag we ran into here was the discovery of a beam above the existing open shelving that had to be modified with a smaller structural beam to allow for our new design to work. This was an unexpected surprise, but in the end we think it was well worth it! We kept the colors here a bit more muted to blend with the homeowner’s existing furnishings. Open shelving and polished nickel hardware add some simple detail to the new entertainment zone which also looks out onto the lake! Next we tackled the upstairs starting with the homeowner’s son’s bath. The bath originally had both a tub shower and a separate shower, so we decided to swap out the shower for a new laundry area. This freed up some space downstairs in what used to be the mudroom/laundry room and is much more convenient for daily laundry needs. We continued the blue palette here with navy cabinetry and the navy tile in the shower. Porcelain floor tile and chrome fixtures keep maintenance to a minimum while matte black mirrors and lighting add some depth the design. A low maintenance runner adds some warmth underfoot and ties the whole space together. We added a pocket door to the bathroom to minimize interference with the door swings. The left door of the laundry closet is on a 180 degree hinge to allow for easy full access to the machines. Next we tackled the master bath which is an en suite arrangement. The original was typical of the 1980’s with the vanity outside of the bathroom, situated near the master closet. And the brown theme continued here with multiple shades of brown. Our first move was to segment off the bath and the closet from the master bedroom. We created a short hall from the bedroom to the bathroom with his and hers walk-in closets on the left and right as well as a separate toilet closet outside of the main bathroom for privacy and flexibility. The original bathroom had a giant soaking tub with steps (dangerous!) as well as a small shower that did not work well for our homeowner who is 6’3”. With other bathtubs in the home, they decided to eliminate the tub and create an oversized shower which takes up the space where the old tub was located. The double vanity is on the opposite wall and a bench is located under the window for morning conversations and a place to set a couple of towels. The pallet in here is light and airy with a mix of blond wood, creamy porcelain and marble tile, and brass accents. A simple roman shade adds some texture and it’s top-down mechanism allows for light and privacy. This large whole house remodel gave our homeowners not only the ability to maximize the potential of their home but also created a lovely new frame from which to view their fabulous lake views. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Michael Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

First installation of its kind. Two Oversize 9’ x 16’ grand patio openings by NanaWall, expand indoor living to the great outdoors. Heat lamps surrounding the grand openings create a heat blanket that extend outdoor entertaining in spring and fall. Custom IPE boardwalk with flush-mounted perimeter LED lighting borders entire 32’ span for ease of access. Two completely mitered marble fire features, anchor the gathering places for best views. From planes, boats & helicopters, ambient sound from the serene waterfall creates a peaceful environment in busy Coal Harbour. Fully automated lighting and audio system, allows residents and guests experience amazing city backdrops from dawn to dusk where the sunset welcomes the night with city lights in style. Chef sized 48” Wolf BBQ allows you to dine company at centre stage. Basalt stepping stones also lead you to more private spaces to continue conversations away from the main patios.

No threshold shower allows easy walk-in access for aging parent. The original floor was removed and jack hammered out to allow the water to slope correctly.

Our customers came to us with a desire to open up their kitchen into the dining and living rooms. They wanted an open concept to make their home more comfortable and easy to get around in when their grandchildren came over to visit. We were able to take down two walls and leave a post where the island is currently located. We were also able to continue and match the hardwood floors in the kitchen. The ginger stained cabinets and the under cabinet lighting add a warmth to the kitchen. The staggered wall cabinets with the large crown mounding added an interesting touch. And lastly the washing machine was moved from the basement into the kitchen for easier access to our customers who have a hard time walking up and down the staircase. The customers love their new kitchen and enjoy spending time with their family.

VPC’s featured Custom Home Project of the Month for March is the spectacular Mountain Modern Lodge. With six bedrooms, six full baths, and two half baths, this custom built 11,200 square foot timber frame residence exemplifies breathtaking mountain luxury. The home borrows inspiration from its surroundings with smooth, thoughtful exteriors that harmonize with nature and create the ultimate getaway. A deck constructed with Brazilian hardwood runs the entire length of the house. Other exterior design elements include both copper and Douglas Fir beams, stone, standing seam metal roofing, and custom wire hand railing. Upon entry, visitors are introduced to an impressively sized great room ornamented with tall, shiplap ceilings and a patina copper cantilever fireplace. The open floor plan includes Kolbe windows that welcome the sweeping vistas of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The great room also includes access to the vast kitchen and dining area that features cabinets adorned with valances as well as double-swinging pantry doors. The kitchen countertops exhibit beautifully crafted granite with double waterfall edges and continuous grains. VPC’s Modern Mountain Lodge is the very essence of sophistication and relaxation. Each step of this contemporary design was created in collaboration with the homeowners. VPC Builders could not be more pleased with the results of this custom-built residence.

This mid-century modern kitchen was developed with the original architectural elements of its mid-century shell at the heart of its design. Throughout the space, the kitchen’s repetition of alternating dark walnut and light wood uses in the cabinetry and framework reflect the contrast of the dark wooden beams running along the white ceiling. The playful use of two tones intentionally develops unified work zones using all modern day elements and conveniences. For instance, the 5’ galley workstation stands apart with grain-matched walnut cabinetry and stone wrap detail for a furniture-like feeling. The mid-century architecture continued to be an emphasis through design details such as a flush venting system within a drywall structure that conscientiously disappears into the ceiling affording the existing post-and-beams structures and clerestory windows to stand in the forefront. Along with celebrating the characteristic of the mid-century home the clients wanted to bring the outdoors in. We chose to emphasis the view even more by incorporating a large window centered over the galley kitchen sink. The final result produced a translucent wall that provokes a dialog between the outdoor elements and the natural color tones and materials used throughout the kitchen. While the natural light and views are visible because of the spacious windows, the contemporary kitchens clean geometric lines emphasize the newly introduced natural materials and further integrate the outdoors within the space. The clients desired to have a designated area for hot drinks such as coffee and tea. To create a station that could house all the small appliances & accessories and was easily accessible we incorporated two aluminum tambours together with integrated power lift doors. One tambour acting as the hot drink station and the other acting as an appliance garage. Overall, this minimalistic kitchen is nothing short of functionality and mid-century character. Photo Credit: Fred Donham of PhotographerLink

The Roger Lee designed house from 1962 was purchased by the current homeowners in almost original condition, as the previous owners elected to defer most maintenance projects over the years. The clients were able to see beyond the dated materials and finishes, single-paned glass and uninsulated walls and they approached Klopf Architecture to help them expand and update the entire home, one the family could settle into and enjoy for years to come. It was important that the new designs were aligned with Lee's original intent not only because of the client's appreciation for mid-century modern architecture, but also because the house was deemed historical. The Stanford Real Estate Office requires a stringent design review which safeguards the integrity of the community, which Klopf Architecture was happy to oblige going into their updated designs. As with many original mid-century modern homes, the house was scaled to the 1960s lifestyle where rooms were smaller and openings to views were limited and tightly framed. The original conditions defined the direction the family of four would take in updating the house and making it comfortable for their modern lifestyle. Klopf designed a full gut remodel and major addition to bring the house into the 21st century and provide the living area needed for the client's family. The newly expanded house added just about 1,100 sf to create an airy, comfortable and family friendly house, taking full advantage of the beautiful southwestern views that extend out to the hills beyond. The enclosed garage created an additional 240 sf of covered space for long-term storage. A cracked swimming pool created an eyesore taking up a majority of the backyard landscape, so it was one of the first elements to go during the transformation. Working with Outer Space Landscape Architects, the family asked for a mix of relaxing outdoor patio spaces that eventually blend into the native landscaping, extending their views outward toward the natural greenery of the trees beyond their property. Filling in the old pool was a smart way to expand the living spaces outward. The orientation of the house was designed to enjoy the views, but the original architecture provided the first homeowners with mere glimpses of the landscape outside. Klopf was able to broaden those views, continuing and extending on the original architecture to take full advantage of the unobstructed natural views across the rear facade of the house. Small horizontal openings in the primary bedroom and office were replaced with much taller windows that now follow the angled roof line upward, extending across almost all of the facade. We worked with Western Windows, whose designs included an oblique-shaped, operable casement that allowed our design to rise with the slope. A new corner office added to the primary suite, offers a bright and functional work-from-home solution that looks out at the distant views and added natural light from the expanded window configuration that now wraps around the corner. The existing lower level was designed by Lee as a utilitarian space, serving as a wet pool room with a drain in the center of the floor, bathroom, laundry and storage areas. Without the need for a pool room, Klopf was able to convert the area into a much more comfortable and functional living space with a new family room and guest suite. The new spaces enjoy easy access to a new outdoor patio through floor to ceiling, full-width glass sliders. Continuing along the rear facade, a previously exposed deck extending from the living room and hallway provided access to the backyard through a single set of stairs leading toward the side of the house which made sense when the pool was in place. The new deck was re-envisioned as an extension of the main living room and now serves as a second outdoor living room. A new slatted pergola above provides the homeowners welcome relief from the hot afternoon sun. A second set of stairs now creates a better connection to the redesigned lower level. Klopf was able to reconfigure the spaces, extending the living room outward toward the views, where the family now claims it as the heart of the home, spending a large majority of their time outdoors. Back inside, the original wood-burning Malm fireplace was beautifully restored and a gas burner installed to comply with California's strict air standards. It now rests in front of a wall of Heath accent tiles where a dated red brick wall used to stand. A new taller window brings more light and views into the refreshed interior living room. The original glass doors opposite the fireplace were replaced by larger sliders that when fully opened, create a seamless transition to the new outdoor living area so the two spaces feel like one connected space. The original utilitarian kitchen was needlessly tucked into the far back corner and closed-off, out of sight from the living room, so the clients asked Klopf to open it up and expand the kitchen forward so it felt more connected. Today the much larger kitchen is connected to the living area where a short wall with a cutout offers a visual glimpse into the kitchen and a handy pass-through counter for serving guests. A new breakfast nook was also added to create another spot where the family can gather for casual meals. Just outside, a new built-in outdoor grill and prep area extends the kitchen outside and connects to a new outdoor dining spot nestled amongst the trees, taking advantage of the views out back. Klopf was able to expand the other two bedrooms, add a new laundry room and half-bath and convert the carport to an enclosed garage to add more storage areas which was lost when the pool house was converted to the family and guest room. To maintain a historical connection to the original designs, the exterior siding was repeated on all exterior walls, a full-height stained glass window at the front entryway restored, and an interior slatted screen element repeated outside at the exterior entry courtyard and over the new outdoor living room to create a shade trellis. The new house stands proudly and shines against it's new landscaping features, while respecting and expanding on the original intent of Roger Lee's designs epitomizing the comforts of indoor-outdoor living in Northern California. Completion year: 2020 Klopf Architecture project team: John Klopf, Klara Kevane, Noel Andrade Contractor: ORB Construction, Brendan O'Reilly Structural engineer: Sezen and Moon Landscape architect: Outer space Furnishings and decoration: Urbanism Designs Photographer: Mariko Reed

VPC’s featured Custom Home Project of the Month for March is the spectacular Mountain Modern Lodge. With six bedrooms, six full baths, and two half baths, this custom built 11,200 square foot timber frame residence exemplifies breathtaking mountain luxury. The home borrows inspiration from its surroundings with smooth, thoughtful exteriors that harmonize with nature and create the ultimate getaway. A deck constructed with Brazilian hardwood runs the entire length of the house. Other exterior design elements include both copper and Douglas Fir beams, stone, standing seam metal roofing, and custom wire hand railing. Upon entry, visitors are introduced to an impressively sized great room ornamented with tall, shiplap ceilings and a patina copper cantilever fireplace. The open floor plan includes Kolbe windows that welcome the sweeping vistas of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The great room also includes access to the vast kitchen and dining area that features cabinets adorned with valances as well as double-swinging pantry doors. The kitchen countertops exhibit beautifully crafted granite with double waterfall edges and continuous grains. VPC’s Modern Mountain Lodge is the very essence of sophistication and relaxation. Each step of this contemporary design was created in collaboration with the homeowners. VPC Builders could not be more pleased with the results of this custom-built residence.

This homeowner came to us with her basic design ready for us to execute for her kitchen, but also asked us to design and update her entry, sunroom and fireplace. Her kitchen was 80’s standard builder grade cabinetry and laminate countertops and she had a knee wall separating her kitchen from the family room. We removed that wall and installed a custom cabinetry buffet to complement the cabinetry of the kitchen, allowing for access from all sides. We removed a desk area in the kitchen and converted it to a closed organization station complete with a charging station for phones and computers. Calcutta Quartzite countertops were used throughout and continued seamlessly up the walls as a backsplash to create a wow factor. We converted a closet into a pantry cabinet, and new stainless appliances, including a microwave drawer completed this renovation. Additionally, we updated her sunroom by removing the “popcorn” textured ceiling and gave it a fresh updated coat of paint. We installed 12x24 tile floor giving the room a simple classic transformation. Finally, we renewed the fireplace area, by building a custom mantle and adding wood paneling and trim to soften the marble fireplace face and a simple coat of paint in the entry and a new chandelier brought a lighter and fresher impact upon entering the home.

This home is dressed to impress with its stone and stucco exterior and dramatic square-columned entry. The drama continues in the vaulted foyer with clerestory window and throughout the rest of this well-planned home. The great room with cathedral ceiling adjoins a breakfast area which opens onto a side porch. The kitchen features an angled counter with stovetop, pantry, and easy access to the formal dining room. A separate utility room has built-in cabinets and countertop with laundry sink. Double doors lead into the first floor master suite with box bay window, two walk-in closets, and lavish bath. Two more bedrooms are located upstairs along with a full bath, linen closet, and skylit bonus room.