Jason Dewey Photography
This is an example of a traditional stone garden path in Denver.

Top view of 18" Marine Grade Stainless Steel Cane Bolt for contemporary double courtyard gate. Cane bolt is located on the interior of the fixed gate. Photo by 360 Yardware

The courtyard treated as an evening room: perimeter lit, center left calm. Sconces carry the wings at a consistent height so the eye runs straight to the lit entry at the back.

Photo by torrey ferrell creative
Example of a mid-sized arts and crafts beige two-story mixed siding exterior home design in Other with a clipped gable roof

We designed this home to meet the needs of a family who home-schools their two children. We configured the home-school room so that its use can change over time and become a library or away room. The playroom will become a media / gaming room as needs change. The husband offices from home and has occasional visits from business clients, so we designed an office with interior access and a separate exterior entrance. Besides those rooms, this 3,800 SF house features a master suite with exercise room, two bedrooms with a Jack and Jill bath, a mudroom, laundry room, powder room, half bath, and a small office by the kitchen.

This formal residence is located in Highland Park, Texas features intensely manicured gardens, a cobblestone driveway, private motor court and a grand entry gate.

This was a pair of unique entry gates we built for a client. The gates have a frame fabricated from steel and are clad with raw copper. The columns are also wrapped in copper on all sides. The copper is left raw so that it will age naturally and develop a beautiful patina. These photos are from after installation. We will try and post some aged photos after the patina has had a chance to form.

This was a pair of unique entry gates we built for a client. The gates have a frame fabricated from steel and are clad with raw copper. The columns are also wrapped in copper on all sides. The copper is left raw so that it will age naturally and develop a beautiful patina. These photos are from after installation. We will try and post some aged photos after the patina has had a chance to form.

By repurposing the client's old outdoor bench into a plant stand showcasing potted geraniums and vinca vine, the space gained an extra dose of whimsy.

1950s courtyard concrete patio photo in Los Angeles

Karen DeJager, Spectrum Photography
Photo of a mediterranean landscaping in San Francisco.

Trendy courtyard patio photo in Las Vegas with a fire pit

Timmerman Photography Sculpture by Mayme Kratz This is a home we initially built in 1995 and after it sold in 2014 we were commissioned to come back and remodel the interior of the home. We worked with internationally renowned architect Will Bruder on the initial design on the home. The goal of home was to build a modern hillside home which made the most of the vista upon which it sat. A few ways we were able to achieve this were the unique, floor-to-ceiling glass windows on the side of the property overlooking Scottsdale, a private courtyard off the master bedroom and bathroom, and a custom commissioned sculpture Mayme Kratz. Stonecreek's particular role in the project were to work alongside both the clients and the architect to make sure we were able to perfectly execute on the vision and design of the project. A very unique component of this house is how truly custom every feature is, all the way from the window systems and the bathtubs all the way down to the door handles and other features.

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

Light and Airy, warm and welcome is how we describe this Authentic Hacienda home. Details abound as you turn each corner, and experience how it all blends together with a wonderful sense of scale and elegance. Views, indoor and outdoor spaces help the owners enjoy their amazing Sonoran Desert surroundings.

Inspiration for a large mediterranean entryway remodel in San Francisco

Modern entry and motor court: stone piers grazed from below, garage bays washed evenly, and the door left as the brightest point. Every fixture is aimed after dark on site — the symmetry does not survive being guessed from a plan.

Photography by Tom Jenkins TomJenkinsFilms.com
Example of a farmhouse white two-story exterior home design in Atlanta

Architect: Thompson Naylor; Landscape: everGREEN Landscape Architects; Photography: Jim Bartsch Photography
1960s one-story gable roof photo in Santa Barbara