Large transitional l-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor kitchen pantry photo in St Louis with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, multicolored backsplash, stone tile backsplash, paneled appliances, two islands and white countertops

A new-construction, year-round vacation home was custom-built for a family to enjoy the natural beauty of West Marin, California. The home is sited on the beach, so understanding how to build on sand (instead of soil) and selecting the right materials that would withstand ongoing erosion from the ocean and salt air were both critical to the success of the project. Even in the most ideal circumstances climate can present challenges, but as this was a COVID-era project in a relatively remote location, we also faced supply chain issues and labor issues. Fortunately, we were able to draw on our decades of experience to identify solutions and work collaboratively with the geotechnical engineer, structural engineer, and subcontractors to ensure that everyone was aligned on the design vision and how we would achieve it. Our backgrounds as craftspeople and the project manager’s experience as an architect allowed our team to work in lockstep with the design team.

Matthew Millman
Inspiration for a large coastal medium tone wood floor and brown floor great room remodel in San Francisco with white walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace

Originally built in 1970, this later-model Eichler—designed by architect Claude Oakland—features a distinctive “Model 14” roofline with a clipped gable, a subtle nod to the charm of English thatch-roof cottages. Acquired from the original owner, the home remained in untouched, original condition—offering a rare opportunity for restoration, but also presenting an urgent need for updates. Our approach was grounded in respect for Oakland’s original design intent, while thoughtfully incorporating essential upgrades to meet modern building codes and today’s lifestyle expectations. Eichler homes were originally built using modest, cost-effective materials to make modern architecture accessible to the growing mid-century middle class. While iconic, elements like laminate countertops, particle board cabinetry, and vinyl composition tile flooring haven’t stood the test of time. We carefully replaced these with more durable, high-quality alternatives—granite countertops, maple-ply cabinets, and luxury vinyl tile—ensuring the home remains true to its spirit while standing strong for decades to come. All images © Ken Gutmaker

Dining room - coastal dining room idea in Minneapolis

Design a dining room with decadence in mind by using our glazed thin brick, seen here with a graceful green glaze in a herringbone pattern. DESIGN Pepper Design Co. PHOTOS Allison Corona Tile Shown: Brick in Custom Green, try Cascade for a similar look.

Nearly two decades ago now, Susan and her husband put a letter in the mailbox of this eastside home: "If you have any interest in selling, please reach out." But really, who would give up a Flansburgh House? Fast forward to 2020, when the house went on the market! By then it was clear that three children and a busy home design studio couldn't be crammed into this efficient footprint. But what's second best to moving into your dream home? Being asked to redesign the functional core for the family that was. In this classic Flansburgh layout, all the rooms align tidily in a square around a central hall and open air atrium. As such, all the spaces are both connected to one another and also private; and all allow for visual access to the outdoors in two directions—toward the atrium and toward the exterior. All except, in this case, the utilitarian galley kitchen. That space, oft-relegated to second class in midcentury architecture, got the shaft, with narrow doorways on two ends and no good visual access to the atrium or the outside. Who spends time in the kitchen anyway? As is often the case with even the very best midcentury architecture, the kitchen at the Flansburgh House needed to be modernized; appliances and cabinetry have come a long way since 1970, but our culture has evolved too, becoming more casual and open in ways we at SYH believe are here to stay. People (gasp!) do spend time—lots of time!—in their kitchens! Nonetheless, our goal was to make this kitchen look as if it had been designed this way by Earl Flansburgh himself. The house came to us full of bold, bright color. We edited out some of it (along with the walls it was on) but kept and built upon the stunning red, orange and yellow closet doors in the family room adjacent to the kitchen. That pop was balanced by a few colorful midcentury pieces that our clients already owned, and the stunning light and verdant green coming in from both the atrium and the perimeter of the house, not to mention the many skylights. Thus, the rest of the space just needed to quiet down and be a beautiful, if neutral, foil. White terrazzo tile grounds custom plywood and black cabinetry, offset by a half wall that offers both camouflage for the cooking mess and also storage below, hidden behind seamless oak tambour. Contractor: Rusty Peterson Cabinetry: Stoll's Woodworking Photographer: Sarah Shields

Set on a narrow hillside lot overlooking the San Francisco Bay in Point Richmond, California, Bay Heirloom is a Mid-Century Modern family home restored, modernized and adapted for contemporary living. Oriented south-southwest toward the Marin Headlands, with views of the Golden Gate Bridge, the residence captures shifting Bay light throughout the day, from fog-muted mornings to vivid, glowing sunsets. The home was built by Karlyn Neel’s grandfather, the owner of the construction company Flo-Crete, one of the Bay Area’s early concrete pumping firms. Flo-Crete completed the foundation and structural concrete work, with family photographs documenting the original cinderblock walls and pours. The firm also contributed to major regional infrastructure projects, including the Transbay BART tube and Candlestick Park, situating the house within a broader legacy of Bay Area construction. Growing up, Neel spent considerable time in the home, developing an early appreciation for mid-century modern principles. Instead of parting with this family heirloom, she purchased the home from her grandfather’s estate. While her grandfather continued to live in the Point Richmond house, Neel purchased a Mid-Century Modern residence in Palm Desert. In contrast to the Bay Area’s cool temperatures, salt air, and persistent winds, the desert home is shaped by heat and sun and requires a different material response. A substantial renovation she led there emphasized thermal performance, filtered light, and restrained detailing. The experience later informed the restoration of her Bay Area family home. What began as a modest Mid-Century Modern update expanded when decades of exposure to marine conditions revealed leaks and significant structural and seismic deficiencies. Neel was determined to honor her grandfather’s perseverance and without hesitation pivoted to a much more intensive project. Addressing these challenges required close coordination between Neel, Klopf Architecture and Kasten Builders, with architectural restraint and construction precision guiding each intervention. Rather than alter the home’s defining features, the project focused on reinforcing the structure from within. Discreet beams were embedded along the rear facade and in an upstairs wall, strengthening the building while maximizing the wall of glass facing the Bay and opening the wall between the kitchen and the living space. These structural interventions allowed the space to open fully to the Bay without visual interruption, with the kitchen repositioned as the social and functional core of an open, continuous living space. The building envelope was updated using weather- and corrosion-resistant materials appropriate to the marine environment. The house unfolds vertically from the street, beginning with a modest garage level and workshop, with the main living spaces located below. Original slate flooring at the entry was preserved, along with select furnishings and artwork collected by Neel’s grandfather, anchoring the restored interior in its past. A restrained palette of black accents and pale, natural finishes replaces darker wood tones, reinforcing openness and calm. A naturally illuminated stair connects to the lowest level, where a former basement was transformed into a guest suite and family room opening onto a deck. From there, steps lead directly to a small concrete boat ramp at the water’s edge. Throughout the project, decisions were guided by continuity rather than transformation for its own sake. Lessons drawn from both desert and coastal climates informed a material strategy rooted in performance and restraint. Bay Heirloom stands as a measured evolution of a family house, structurally renewed and carefully modernized, grounded in the discipline and care that first shaped it. Klopf Architecture Project Team: John Klopf, AIA, Angela Todorova and Fernanda Bernardes Landscape Architect: Huettl Landscape Architecture General Contractor: Kasten Builders Photography: ©2025 Mariko Reed Year Completed: 2022 Location: Point Richmond, CA

This home belonged to the controversial championship-winning IU basketball coach, but our client, who is trained as a landscape architect, has lived there over two decades now, undertaking several renovations over the years and beautifying the wooded grounds into a fairy tale setting. She came to us ready to make the coach’s former office into a gathering space and overnight accommodation, asking us to lean into the Craftsman shell rather than the Candy Stripe history of the space.

This home belonged to the controversial championship-winning IU basketball coach, but our client, who is trained as a landscape architect, has lived there over two decades now, undertaking several renovations over the years and beautifying the wooded grounds into a fairy tale setting. She came to us ready to make the coach’s former office into a gathering space and overnight accommodation, asking us to lean into the Craftsman shell rather than the Candy Stripe history of the space.

Elegant kitchen photo in Nashville

The solarium's new bar and site-built cabinetry. This beloved floating home on Lake Union came to us full of character, decades of stories, and a central bathroom badly in need of new life. We rebuilt the polygonal bath into a serene retreat, adding a freestanding tub, a custom copper and lumicor shower, and a wood floor carving that echoes the water just beyond the walls. In the solarium, we replaced rotted framing, added new skylights and windows, a reused porthole, and a fresh copper roof, all while working carefully around handmade tile the homeowners plan to reinstall themselves. The result honors a home that has long been part of Seattle's floating home community, blending craftsmanship with the artistic spirit already present in every room.

This powder bath is a true showstopper—dramatic, decadent, and unapologetically luxe. Wrapped in deep sapphire blue geometric wallpaper with fine metallic inlays, the walls exude energy and elegance, forming a striking canvas for the statement fixtures within. A floating bookmatched stone vanity steals the spotlight with its high-contrast veining in marbleized tones of ivory, charcoal, and cobalt. The brushed brass sink and fixtures gleam against the bold surface, echoing the warm tones of the mid-century modern chandelier overhead, which radiates like a burst of champagne bubbles. Artful details—a moody figure drawing in a carved black frame, a sleek black toilet, and a uniquely faceted brass-accented mirror—complete the space with layered sophistication. This is not just a powder room; it’s a gallery-worthy experience in modern luxury, where every square inch is designed to impress.

Returning home after more than a decade living and working in Taiwan, our client envisioned something entirely different from the French Colonial aesthetic of his early-1990s Beaverton home. Through a comprehensive design-build renovation, this Portland metro whole-house remodel transformed a conventional suburban residence into a richly layered retreat inspired by global travel, natural materials, and timeless craftsmanship. The result is a warm, sophisticated home designed to showcase treasured artifacts and collectibles gathered from years abroad while providing modern functionality for everyday living. From the moment you enter, the home's new character unfolds through a carefully curated palette of wood, stone, and metal. Rich ebony-stained knotty alder millwork draws the eye through the entry, where a newly created mudroom replaces the former office space. Beyond a set of dramatic barn doors, a striking stone fireplace becomes the focal point of the living room, anchored by a reclaimed wood mantel and rustic ceiling beams that add warmth and architectural depth. Nearby, the sunroom was completely refreshed through thoughtful window modifications and custom trim detailing, creating a seamless connection between the interior and the surrounding landscape. The kitchen serves as the heart of the renovation, blending rustic elegance with refined craftsmanship. Custom alder cabinetry is paired with layered metal finishes, allowing subtle copper and bronze undertones to emerge from creamy quartz countertops. A textured slate backsplash echoes the flagstone-inspired flooring, while a newly created butler's pantry provides both beauty and functionality. Each material was selected to evoke the authenticity of old-world craftsmanship while supporting the practical needs of modern living. One of the home's most dramatic architectural transformations is the custom floating staircase. Designed as both a sculptural centerpiece and a solution to circulation challenges, the staircase opens previously constricted pathways and enhances the home's flow. Hand-tooled hickory wraps each tread while weathered metal accents provide subtle industrial character. Upstairs, creative space planning allowed for the addition of a discreet laundry nook within an underutilized hallway area, improving convenience without sacrificing valuable living space. The primary suite continues the home's story of understated luxury and global influence. Rustic ceiling beams mirror those seen throughout the main level, creating visual continuity and warmth. An antique carved door serves as a distinctive feature within the reconfigured closet layout, while the primary bathroom embraces a calming combination of stone, concrete, and matte black finishes. Large-format tile arranged in a custom Versailles-inspired pattern guides the eye through the spa-like retreat, where natural textures and abundant daylight create a serene atmosphere. While the main and upper levels celebrate warmth and global influence, the basement renovation introduces an entirely different layer of the home's personality. To create the ultimate entertainment destination, the basement footprint was extended approximately seven feet beyond the original foundation, transforming previously underutilized space into a seamless indoor-outdoor gathering environment. Inspired by cultured industrial design, the newly expanded lower level was envisioned as a place where family and friends could relax, connect, and enjoy the home's resort-like backyard amenities. At the heart of the basement renovation is a custom entertainment bar featuring reclaimed rustic cabinetry and chiseled-edge granite countertops that emphasize the natural character of the materials. Accordion-style serving windows create a direct connection between the interior bar and the outdoor living spaces, allowing drinks, food, and conversation to flow effortlessly between the entertainment room and the backyard pool, hot tub, and professionally landscaped grounds. The result is a true indoor-outdoor living experience designed for year-round enjoyment. The expansive recreation area accommodates a variety of activities while maintaining a cohesive design aesthetic. A shuffleboard table, billiards area, and casual bar dining space provide multiple destinations for gathering, all unified by a sophisticated palette of brick, concrete, wood, and metal. Slim-profile brick walls introduce texture and authenticity, while custom decorative painting techniques create the appearance of cast concrete accent walls, reinforcing the basement's refined industrial character without overwhelming the space. Supporting spaces throughout the lower level were equally transformed. An outdated bathroom was fully renovated to reflect the home's dark and moody aesthetic, incorporating a curbless shower, rustic vanity, and layered finishes that balance comfort with style. Two underutilized bedrooms were thoughtfully reconfigured to better support the homeowner's lifestyle, with one becoming a dedicated home office and the other opening into a flexible music room designed for creativity and relaxation. Additional unfinished crawlspace and storage areas were reclaimed to create a private home gym, maximizing every square foot of the home's footprint. The renovation extended beyond the interior walls of the home. A newly rebuilt two-story deck strengthens the connection between indoor and outdoor spaces while providing multiple vantage points overlooking the backyard retreat. On the upper level, adjacent to the primary suite, a new enclosed sunroom addition creates a peaceful sanctuary elevated among the trees. Together, these exterior improvements complement the home's interior transformation, enhancing both livability and year-round enjoyment while creating a true extension of the living space outdoors. Behind the finished spaces, this Beaverton full home remodel required significant structural and technical expertise. Replacing the original staircase involved extensive modifications to the upper-floor framing system, including the installation of concealed supports for the floating treads and the creation of a new landing structure. Throughout the home, natural materials presented unique installation challenges. The dimensional variation of the slate backsplash required each stone to be precisely shaped around electrical devices and surrounding elements, while reclaimed wood beams demanded extensive preparation before they could be securely installed. Careful coordination among multiple trades ensured every custom detail performed as beautifully as it appeared. Because the homeowner remained in Taiwan for much of the renovation, collaboration relied on a highly organized design-build process and frequent communication across a fourteen-hour time difference. Detailed design presentations, material selections, and construction updates allowed key decisions to be made efficiently, even from across the globe. This partnership enabled the project team to successfully execute a highly customized vision despite logistical complexities and construction delays outside of the project's control. Strategic planning also played a crucial role in maintaining the project budget. While the homeowner initially envisioned reclaimed wood flooring and natural flagstone throughout the home, carefully selected engineered hardwood and porcelain tile provided a similar aesthetic with improved performance and cost efficiency. Authenticity was preserved through the use of genuine stone at key focal points, including the fireplace surround and kitchen backsplash, as well as reclaimed wood incorporated into architectural beam details. Existing high-quality windows were retained and transformed through selective replacement, custom trim work, and thoughtful refinishing, delivering the desired look while avoiding unnecessary expense. Additional savings came from a creative exterior repair solution that replicated the home's original stucco detailing without requiring a complete façade replacement. This luxury Beaverton whole-house renovation demonstrates how thoughtful design-build remodeling can completely reimagine an existing home. Through strategic space planning, custom craftsmanship, and budget-conscious decision making, a dated suburban residence was transformed into a distinctive rustic contemporary retreat that reflects its owner's global experiences, personal story, and vision for home.

This 1920s Spanish-style estate located in Beverly Hills had not been maintained or updated for several decades. The residence’s new design includes a 1,800-square-foot addition containing a large family room, kitchen, and service area. The rest of the first floor was reconfigured to provide a new connection to the backyard and “resort” vibe. The existing two-story accessory building was demolished and replaced by a new 1,400-square-foot building comprising a three-car garage and pool house. Between the residence and pool house is the remodeled backyard with a new pool and water wall, a large outdoor terrace, and an area for the clients’ two Bernese Mountain dogs to play. The project has drought-tolerant planting, a solar system, and the latest electronic smart home technology. Many design strategies allow the clients to age in place, including reducing level changes throughout the house and designing rooms for accessibility.

A new-construction, year-round vacation home was custom-built for a family to enjoy the natural beauty of West Marin, California. The home is sited on the beach, so understanding how to build on sand (instead of soil) and selecting the right materials that would withstand ongoing erosion from the ocean and salt air were both critical to the success of the project. Even in the most ideal circumstances climate can present challenges, but as this was a COVID-era project in a relatively remote location, we also faced supply chain issues and labor issues. Fortunately, we were able to draw on our decades of experience to identify solutions and work collaboratively with the geotechnical engineer, structural engineer, and subcontractors to ensure that everyone was aligned on the design vision and how we would achieve it. Our backgrounds as craftspeople and the project manager’s experience as an architect allowed our team to work in lockstep with the design team.

Glowing warmly at dusk, this Minnesota barnhouse terrace showcases Antique Red Barnwood Paneling on the upper wall of the main house, paired with Weathered Gray Barnwood Paneling elsewhere on the property, set above a base of natural granite stone. The faded crimson siding and stacked stone create a striking rustic glam backdrop for the poolside patio, capturing the country western, farmstead inspired character envisioned for this home. Antique Red Barnwood Paneling is sourced from the classic red barns of the American Midwest, its crimson tone filtered through decades of sun, snow, and rain to create an authentic rustic rust color naturally resistant to warping and shrinkage. Weathered Gray Barnwood Paneling brings a cooler counterpoint, milled from a mix of softwoods, hemlock to pine, salvaged from joists, roof boards, decking, and walls of late 19th and early 20th century structures, offering a naturally aged patina that has stood the test of time. Whether you are a homebuilder, a home remodeling contractor, or a homeowner drawn to the character of true reclaimed barn wood, Manomin Resawn Timbers can help bring this rustic exterior look to your own home. Visit our showroom in Hugo, MN or reach out to us with a call or a message.

Nimanoe is a tribute to the good life. A tale about travel, taste, passion and purpose. You can see it in the beautiful, expansive ensuite bedrooms, and the cozy, pacifying lounges and library. You can feel it in the refined furnishings, the statement pieces of art and considered spa-like spaces that beckon you in for a soothing reboot. You can hear it in the Sonos surround sound system that reaches every room, every corner of the garden, into the mountain air and beyond. You can taste it in the state-of-the-art kitchen and languid dining spaces – both indoor and outdoor. Nimanoe’s sophistication on the senses gives you license to bring your own version of the good life to fruition, surrounded by all of your favourite people. What we love! The outdoor shower adjacent the spa and sauna space, where the delicious monsters and ferns perfect the tropical paradise ambience. Nimanoe is an ideal home to work from too. With those inspirational views and tranquil sounds of the abounding nature you’ll find yourself inspired to produce that long-awaited masterpiece in the secluded office. The views of the ocean, Chapman’s Peak, Cape Point Vineyards and surrounding mountain ranges are nothing short of spectacular and ever-changing throughout the day. What you need to know… Nimanoe offers daily housekeeping, as well as the food of fabulous chef, Natalie, who’ll whip up some delicious Ottolenghi dishes, and extraordinary desserts. Silvermine’s hiking trails are on the doorstep. Just a gentle climb up into the mountain for some incredible views and lovely sunset spots. For a pint or two of a delicious craft beer, Aegir Brewery is no more than a 5-minute drive away, where the fabulous Italian eatery, Limoncello also sits, beneath the milkwoods. The property is situated at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac and is totally secure, with a high-tech, top of the range alarm and security system – for that extra peace of mind. It also runs off a solar-system so does not feel the impact of power outages. Nimanoe is only a 5-minute drive to Noordehoek for long walks and swims. You also have the use of the property’s SUP and surf boards. Noordhoek Village is only a 5-minute drive away from the property where Chef Franck Dangereux’s Foodbarn Restaurant is, together with coffee roasters, decadent ice-cream makers, a pub and a playground, a delicatessen, souvenir shops and a yoga studio too.

The living area is a canvas for the clients' decades of collected treasures, anchored by a large illuminated millwork unit with open and closed storage and a curated gallery wall above. A honey-coloured sofa sits against the original exposed brick, framed by a soaring arched window. An aqua-blue reading chair and ottoman tuck into a corner on a puddle-shaped rug beneath the 18-foot ceiling.