Search results for "Decision focused creative" in Home Design Ideas

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

Every design project has its own story, and this one stands out for the creative collaboration and smart decision-making that brought it to life. Our client—a designer herself—came to us with a clear vision: she wanted a lighter, brighter kitchen with more functional storage and a larger island for seating that wouldn’t disrupt the flow of the space. From our first meeting, I knew we were going to build something special together!

Set against a backdrop of mature trees in Atlanta’s prestigious Kingswood neighborhood, this completed Foxcroft residence presents a quiet yet commanding architectural presence. Clean lines, balanced proportions, and a restrained material palette give the home a timeless exterior that feels both classic and distinctly modern.
The façade is defined by soft masonry tones, steep gabled rooflines, and thoughtfully placed steel windows that glow warmly at dusk, creating an inviting contrast against the surrounding landscape. Subtle exterior lighting highlights the home’s symmetry and depth, while the manicured grounds reinforce a sense of calm and order from the moment you arrive.
Inside, the home was designed to prioritize comfort, flow, and intentional living. Spaces were carefully proportioned to feel open without sacrificing intimacy, allowing natural light to move effortlessly throughout the interior. The connection between indoors and out was thoughtfully considered, enhancing the way the home is experienced throughout the day and into the evening.
This Foxcroft project reflects a modern interpretation of traditional architecture, elevated through performance focused planning and purposeful design decisions. A Kingswood home created to stand quietly among its surroundings while offering a refined, enduring place to live.
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The Upper East Side Project was defined by a sense of subtlety, simplicity, and elegance, with focus on the space rather than the things in it. The interiors are bathed in muted neutrals, along with black and white. While using a sophisticated color palette to create a space with a dynamic atmosphere.

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 renovation for a young family with two boys truly reflects the essence of thoughtful design that balances aesthetics with practicality. The decision to remove two walls and replace them with beams covered in red oak veneers speaks to the family’s need for an open floor plan, ensuring important sight lines while the boys play—a perfect solution for parents who want a balance between modern living and supervision.
The arch in the range hood becomes a focal point, introducing elegance and architectural sophistication to the space, while the black gloss "handmade" herringbone backsplash tiles add a layer of dynamic texture that elevates the kitchen's design. These touches show that this renovation wasn’t just about creating a functional space, but one with character and style.
Functionality was clearly top of mind, with the focus on ample storage, modern appliances, and smart layouts. These elements allow the kitchen to meet the demands of a busy family, whether it’s for everyday meals or special gatherings. The seamless flow between the kitchen, dining room, and great room makes this space ideal for entertaining and family interaction, further enhanced by the clean, open lines.
This renovation serves as a great example of how thoughtful design can transform a home, making it not only more beautiful but also more enjoyable and efficient for day-to-day living.

Set in a quiet neighborhood and framed by mature trees, this residence presented a unique opportunity: to thoughtfully evolve a custom mid-century modern home into a space that supports the everyday rhythms of a growing family. With a deep respect for the home’s original architecture, Klopf Architecture reimagined the house to better meet the needs of its owners—introducing functional improvements while preserving the spirit and character of its mid-century roots.
The clients approached Klopf Architecture with a clear vision: refresh their home while seamlessly integrating new programmatic elements. Key goals included clarifying and enhancing the entry sequence; connecting the detached garage to the main house with a practical yet architecturally intentional intervention; adding functional spaces such as a mudroom and laundry room; expanding and remodeling the primary suite’s bathroom and closet; and creating a more engaging outdoor space that capitalized on the site’s impressive views, featuring a fire pit and outdoor kitchen.
As a couple with distinct yet complementary perspectives—one focused on modern functionality and technology, and the other dedicated to preserving the home’s architectural integrity—their collaboration with Klopf Architecture resulted in a solution that harmonized both ideals. Their shared commitment to improving the livability of their home led to a design dialogue rooted in balance. This dynamic partnership shaped the direction of the renovation, ensuring that every decision honored the spirit of the original home while aligning with the practical needs of their growing family.
Designing within the constraints of the sloped site posed one of the project’s central challenges. The detached garage sat at a higher elevation than the main house, requiring a solution that ensured architectural and geometric compatibility between the two structures. Rather than create a purely utilitarian link, Klopf Architecture introduced an intentional connection that contributes to the overall architectural language. A notable pinch point in the plan—where differing geometries converged—was treated as a hinge point, turning a potentially awkward juncture into an architectural feature. This area now functions as both a transition and a moment of design interest that unifies the overall plan.
The design also addressed the underutilized outdoor area, which was located in a shadowed portion of the site with geometrical limitations. A new connection to the rear deck was created in this same area, making the outdoor space more useful and inviting. Klopf Architecture introduced carefully positioned openings and spatial improvements that forged a strong visual and functional connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. The outdoor area now reads as a deliberate extension of the home, embracing natural light and emphasizing the dramatic views.
Working through multiple design iterations, Klopf Architecture crafted a solution that preserved the architectural language of the original home while supporting the functional needs of modern life. The garage-to-house connection became more than a passage—it evolved into an architectural moment of transition. A new mudroom and laundry space enhanced convenience without compromising the clean lines of the design. The primary suite was expanded to create a private, serene retreat. The reimagined backyard, complete with fire pit and kitchen, now plays a vital role in the family’s daily routine and social life.
Outcomes and Lasting Impact
The result is a home that balances heritage with contemporary design, technical precision with design sensibility. The redesign not only met the clients’ initial goals but also exceeded expectations in its ability to seamlessly blend past and present, function and beauty, making the outdoor kitchen a favorite gathering place.
Beyond aesthetics, the renovation has significantly improved daily life for the family. The newly integrated garage connection has streamlined routines, providing a seamless transition between arriving home, storing belongings, and entering the main living spaces. The expanded primary suite offers a retreat-like atmosphere, creating a private space to unwind at the end of the day. The redesigned outdoor areas have also become an extension of their lifestyle—whether it's casual family dinners around the fire pit, entertaining friends in the outdoor kitchen, or simply enjoying the view from the reimagined backyard.
Through a thoughtful and strategic approach, the house has been successfully evolved into a home that remains true to its mid-century modern roots while enhancing livability, functionality, and the overall quality of life for the modern-day owners.
Klopf Architecture Team: Geoffrey Campen, Fernanda Bernardes
Architectural Interior Design: Klopf Architecture
Structural Engineer: Base Design Inc.
Contractor: Golden Snail Builders
Photography: Mariko Reed
Year Completed:2022

This lovingly restored Winnetka Heights Craftsman home was a pleasure to work on. My clients, a young married couple with two sweet pups, enjoy collecting unique items from their travels and loved ones and wanted to incorporate them in the design. This was a special project for me because it aligns with my philosophy that our home should be a reflection of who we are. My goal was to pair these bespoke collectibles with modern and new furnishings, fabrics, and fixtures to create a harmonized design that truly reflected their nostalgic and well-traveled style.
My approach involved enhancing the home’s character and charm while adding personalized details and modern touches. I reused preexisting furniture pieces, reupholstered chairs, and repurposed light fixtures to capitalize on sustainable and creative design all while focusing on strategic furniture placement and smart selections.
From the photographs taken by her father in the dining room to the old coins framed and labeled in the front room, each item in their home told a unique story. The final result was a cohesive and personalized space that my client can joyfully call their home, reflecting their unique style and love for travel and bespoke items.

Green Mountain Builders has recently completed a luxury whole home remodel in Bonita Bay, a magnificent award-winning country club community in Bonita Springs, Florida. The remodel focused on opening up the interior space by removing walls that closed off rooms, restricting an open-concept layout. With the dining room wall removed, the home now is bathed in additional sunlight. Opening up the closed area, also makes the home seem much larger. New flooring and paint throughout and a beautiful Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) flooring enhance the beauty of this lovely golf course home. LVP is a wonderful wood-look flooring option that offers warmth and texture. The kitchen was completely renovated as were the bedrooms, including the master, and all bathrooms. Green Mountain creatively used shiplap boards in the family room effecting a stunning wall display. In addition, the lovely courtyard remodel has been updated to provide an outdoor space perfect for entertaining and family enjoyment.

This master bathroom renovation transforms a builder-grade standard into a personalized retreat for our lovely Stapleton clients. Recognizing a need for change, our clients called on us to help develop a space that would capture their aesthetic loves and foster relaxation. Our design focused on establishing an airy and grounded feel by pairing various shades of white, natural wood, and dynamic textures. We replaced the existing ceramic floor tile with wood-look porcelain tile for a warm and inviting look throughout the space. We then paired this with a reclaimed apothecary vanity from Restoration Hardware. This vanity is coupled with a bright Caesarstone countertop and warm bronze faucets from Delta to create a strikingly handsome balance. The vanity mirrors are custom-sized and trimmed with a coordinating bronze frame. Elegant wall sconces dance between the dark vanity mirrors and bright white full height mirrors flanking the bathtub. The tub itself is an oversized freestanding bathtub paired with a tall bronze tub filler. We've created a feature wall with Tile Bar's Billowy Clouds ceramic tile floor to ceiling behind the tub. The wave-like movement of the tiles offers a dramatic texture in a pure white field. We removed the existing shower and extended its depth to create a large new shower. The walls are tiled with a large format high gloss white tile. The shower floor is tiled with marble circles in varying sizes that offer a playful aesthetic in an otherwise minimalist space. We love this pure, airy retreat and are thrilled that our clients get to enjoy it for many years to come!

This master bathroom renovation transforms a builder-grade standard into a personalized retreat for our lovely Stapleton clients. Recognizing a need for change, our clients called on us to help develop a space that would capture their aesthetic loves and foster relaxation. Our design focused on establishing an airy and grounded feel by pairing various shades of white, natural wood, and dynamic textures. We replaced the existing ceramic floor tile with wood-look porcelain tile for a warm and inviting look throughout the space. We then paired this with a reclaimed apothecary vanity from Restoration Hardware. This vanity is coupled with a bright Caesarstone countertop and warm bronze faucets from Delta to create a strikingly handsome balance. The vanity mirrors are custom-sized and trimmed with a coordinating bronze frame. Elegant wall sconces dance between the dark vanity mirrors and bright white full height mirrors flanking the bathtub. The tub itself is an oversized freestanding bathtub paired with a tall bronze tub filler. We've created a feature wall with Tile Bar's Billowy Clouds ceramic tile floor to ceiling behind the tub. The wave-like movement of the tiles offers a dramatic texture in a pure white field. We removed the existing shower and extended its depth to create a large new shower. The walls are tiled with a large format high gloss white tile. The shower floor is tiled with marble circles in varying sizes that offer a playful aesthetic in an otherwise minimalist space. We love this pure, airy retreat and are thrilled that our clients get to enjoy it for many years to come!

Contemporary Clubhouse
Bringing the outdoors inside for a bright and colorful indoor playroom perfect for playtime, arts and crafts or schoolwork.
Theme:
The theme for this inviting and playful space is a creative take on a functional playroom blending the contemporary and functional base of the room with the playful and creative spirit that will engage these lucky children.
Focus:
The playroom centers on an amazing lofted clubhouse perched against a custom painted pasture and perched on makeshift trees boasting the perfect place for creative adventures or quiet reading and setting the inviting feel for the entire room. The creative and playful feeling is expanded throughout the space with bright green patches of shag carpet invoking the feel of the pasture continuing off the wall and through the room. The space is then flanked with more contemporary and functional elements perfect for children ages 2-12 offering endless hours of play.
Storage:
This playroom offers storage options on every wall, in every corner and even on the floor. The myWall storage and entertainment unit offers countless storage options and configurations along the main wall with open shelving, hanging buckets, closed shelves and pegs, anything you want to store or hang can find a home. Even the floor under the myWall panel is a custom floordrobe perfect for all those small floor toys or blankets. The pasture wall has a shelving unit cloaked as another tree in the field offering opened and closed cubbies for books or toys. The sink and craft area offers a home to all the kids craft supplies nestled right into the countertop with colorful containers and buckets.
Growth:
While this playroom provides fun and creative options for children from 2-12 it can adapt and grow with this family as their children grow and their interests or needs change. The myWall system is developed to offer easy and immediate customization with simple adjustments every element of the wall can be moved offering endless possibilities. The full myWall structure can be moved along with the family if necessary. The sink offers steps for the small children but as they grow they can be removed.
Safety:
The playroom is designed to keep the main space open to allow for creative and safe playtime without obstacles. The myWall system uses a custom locking mechanism to ensure that all elements are securely locked into place not to fall or become loose from wear. Custom cushioned floor rugs offer another level of safety and comfort to the little ones playing on the floor.

Our goal with all of these designs was to creatively exceed customers expectations while reducing water usage, keeping costs down and delivering a beautiful garden that would stand the test of time. Wherever possible our hardscape elements are permeable, and existing healthy plantings and trees remain. All of our landscape designs focus on bringing seasonal color, texture and scent to your garden spaces.

We started with a blank slate on this basement project where our only obstacles were exposed steel support columns, existing plumbing risers from the concrete slab, and dropped soffits concealing ductwork on the ceiling. It had the advantage of tall ceilings, an existing egress window, and a sliding door leading to a newly constructed patio.
This family of five loves the beach and frequents summer beach resorts in the Northeast. Bringing that aesthetic home to enjoy all year long was the inspiration for the décor, as well as creating a family-friendly space for entertaining.
Wish list items included room for a billiard table, wet bar, game table, family room, guest bedroom, full bathroom, space for a treadmill and closed storage. The existing structural elements helped to define how best to organize the basement. For instance, we knew we wanted to connect the bar area and billiards table with the patio in order to create an indoor/outdoor entertaining space. It made sense to use the egress window for the guest bedroom for both safety and natural light. The bedroom also would be adjacent to the plumbing risers for easy access to the new bathroom. Since the primary focus of the family room would be for TV viewing, natural light did not need to filter into that space. We made sure to hide the columns inside of newly constructed walls and dropped additional soffits where needed to make the ceiling mechanicals feel less random.
In addition to the beach vibe, the homeowner has valuable sports memorabilia that was to be prominently displayed including two seats from the original Yankee stadium.
For a coastal feel, shiplap is used on two walls of the family room area. In the bathroom shiplap is used again in a more creative way using wood grain white porcelain tile as the horizontal shiplap “wood”. We connected the tile horizontally with vertical white grout joints and mimicked the horizontal shadow line with dark grey grout. At first glance it looks like we wrapped the shower with real wood shiplap. Materials including a blue and white patterned floor, blue penny tiles and a natural wood vanity checked the list for that seaside feel.
A large reclaimed wood door on an exposed sliding barn track separates the family room from the game room where reclaimed beams are punctuated with cable lighting. Cabinetry and a beverage refrigerator are tucked behind the rolling bar cabinet (that doubles as a Blackjack table!). A TV and upright video arcade machine round-out the entertainment in the room. Bar stools, two rotating club chairs, and large square poufs along with the Yankee Stadium seats provide fun places to sit while having a drink, watching billiards or a game on the TV.
Signed baseballs can be found behind the bar, adjacent to the billiard table, and on specially designed display shelves next to the poker table in the family room.
Thoughtful touches like the surfboards, signage, photographs and accessories make a visitor feel like they are on vacation at a well-appointed beach resort without being cliché.

This renovated brick rowhome in Boston’s South End offers a modern aesthetic within a historic structure, creative use of space, exceptional thermal comfort, a reduced carbon footprint, and a passive stream of income.
DESIGN PRIORITIES. The goals for the project were clear - design the primary unit to accommodate the family’s modern lifestyle, rework the layout to create a desirable rental unit, improve thermal comfort and introduce a modern aesthetic. We designed the street-level entry as a shared entrance for both the primary and rental unit. The family uses it as their everyday entrance - we planned for bike storage and an open mudroom with bench and shoe storage to facilitate the change from shoes to slippers or bare feet as they enter their home. On the main level, we expanded the kitchen into the dining room to create an eat-in space with generous counter space and storage, as well as a comfortable connection to the living space. The second floor serves as master suite for the couple - a bedroom with a walk-in-closet and ensuite bathroom, and an adjacent study, with refinished original pumpkin pine floors. The upper floor, aside from a guest bedroom, is the child's domain with interconnected spaces for sleeping, work and play. In the play space, which can be separated from the work space with new translucent sliding doors, we incorporated recreational features inspired by adventurous and competitive television shows, at their son’s request.
MODERN MEETS TRADITIONAL. We left the historic front facade of the building largely unchanged - the security bars were removed from the windows and the single pane windows were replaced with higher performing historic replicas. We designed the interior and rear facade with a vision of warm modernism, weaving in the notable period features. Each element was either restored or reinterpreted to blend with the modern aesthetic. The detailed ceiling in the living space, for example, has a new matte monochromatic finish, and the wood stairs are covered in a dark grey floor paint, whereas the mahogany doors were simply refinished. New wide plank wood flooring with a neutral finish, floor-to-ceiling casework, and bold splashes of color in wall paint and tile, and oversized high-performance windows (on the rear facade) round out the modern aesthetic.
RENTAL INCOME. The existing rowhome was zoned for a 2-family dwelling but included an undesirable, single-floor studio apartment at the garden level with low ceiling heights and questionable emergency egress. In order to increase the quality and quantity of space in the rental unit, we reimagined it as a two-floor, 1 or 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment with a modern aesthetic, increased ceiling height on the lowest level and provided an in-unit washer/dryer. The apartment was listed with Jackie O'Connor Real Estate and rented immediately, providing the owners with a source of passive income.
ENCLOSURE WITH BENEFITS. The homeowners sought a minimal carbon footprint, enabled by their urban location and lifestyle decisions, paired with the benefits of a high-performance home. The extent of the renovation allowed us to implement a deep energy retrofit (DER) to address air tightness, insulation, and high-performance windows. The historic front facade is insulated from the interior, while the rear facade is insulated on the exterior. Together with these building enclosure improvements, we designed an HVAC system comprised of continuous fresh air ventilation, and an efficient, all-electric heating and cooling system to decouple the house from natural gas. This strategy provides optimal thermal comfort and indoor air quality, improved acoustic isolation from street noise and neighbors, as well as a further reduced carbon footprint. We also took measures to prepare the roof for future solar panels, for when the South End neighborhood’s aging electrical infrastructure is upgraded to allow them.
URBAN LIVING. The desirable neighborhood location allows the both the homeowners and tenant to walk, bike, and use public transportation to access the city, while each charging their respective plug-in electric cars behind the building to travel greater distances.
OVERALL. The understated rowhouse is now ready for another century of urban living, offering the owners comfort and convenience as they live life as an expression of their values.
Eric Roth Photo

We started with a blank slate on this basement project where our only obstacles were exposed steel support columns, existing plumbing risers from the concrete slab, and dropped soffits concealing ductwork on the ceiling. It had the advantage of tall ceilings, an existing egress window, and a sliding door leading to a newly constructed patio.
This family of five loves the beach and frequents summer beach resorts in the Northeast. Bringing that aesthetic home to enjoy all year long was the inspiration for the décor, as well as creating a family-friendly space for entertaining.
Wish list items included room for a billiard table, wet bar, game table, family room, guest bedroom, full bathroom, space for a treadmill and closed storage. The existing structural elements helped to define how best to organize the basement. For instance, we knew we wanted to connect the bar area and billiards table with the patio in order to create an indoor/outdoor entertaining space. It made sense to use the egress window for the guest bedroom for both safety and natural light. The bedroom also would be adjacent to the plumbing risers for easy access to the new bathroom. Since the primary focus of the family room would be for TV viewing, natural light did not need to filter into that space. We made sure to hide the columns inside of newly constructed walls and dropped additional soffits where needed to make the ceiling mechanicals feel less random.
In addition to the beach vibe, the homeowner has valuable sports memorabilia that was to be prominently displayed including two seats from the original Yankee stadium.
For a coastal feel, shiplap is used on two walls of the family room area. In the bathroom shiplap is used again in a more creative way using wood grain white porcelain tile as the horizontal shiplap “wood”. We connected the tile horizontally with vertical white grout joints and mimicked the horizontal shadow line with dark grey grout. At first glance it looks like we wrapped the shower with real wood shiplap. Materials including a blue and white patterned floor, blue penny tiles and a natural wood vanity checked the list for that seaside feel.
A large reclaimed wood door on an exposed sliding barn track separates the family room from the game room where reclaimed beams are punctuated with cable lighting. Cabinetry and a beverage refrigerator are tucked behind the rolling bar cabinet (that doubles as a Blackjack table!). A TV and upright video arcade machine round-out the entertainment in the room. Bar stools, two rotating club chairs, and large square poufs along with the Yankee Stadium seats provide fun places to sit while having a drink, watching billiards or a game on the TV.
Signed baseballs can be found behind the bar, adjacent to the billiard table, and on specially designed display shelves next to the poker table in the family room.
Thoughtful touches like the surfboards, signage, photographs and accessories make a visitor feel like they are on vacation at a well-appointed beach resort without being cliché.

Recently, TaskRabbit challenged a group of 10 Taskers to build a Tiny House in the middle of Manhattan in just 72 hours – all for a good cause.
Building a fully outfitted tiny house in 3 days was a tall order – a build like this often takes months – but we set out to prove the power of collaboration, showing the kind of progress that can be made when people come together, bringing their best insights, skills and creativity to achieve something that seems impossible.
It was quite a week. New York was wonderful (and quite lovely, despite a bit of rain), our Taskers were incredible, and TaskRabbit’s Tiny House came together in record time, due to the planning, dedication and hard work of all involved.
A Symbol for Change
The TaskRabbit Tiny House was auctioned off with 100% of the proceeds going to our partner, Community Solutions, a national nonprofit helping communities take on complex social challenges – issues like homelessness, unemployment and health inequity – through collaboration and creative problem solving. This Tiny House was envisioned as a small symbol of the change that is possible when people have the right tools and opportunities to work together. Through our three-day build, our Taskers proved that amazing things can happen when we put our hearts into creating substantive change in our communities.
The Winning Bid
We’re proud to report that we were able to raise $26,600 to support Community Solutions’ work. Sarah, a lovely woman from New Hampshire, placed the winning bid – and it’s nice to know our tiny home is in good hands.
#ATinyTask: Behind the Scenes
The Plans
A lot of time and effort went into making sure this Tiny Home was as efficient, cozy and welcoming as possible. Our master planners, designer Lesley Morphy and TaskRabbit Creative Director Scott Smith, maximized every square inch in the little house with comfort and style in mind, utilizing a lofted bed, lofted storage, a floor-to-ceiling tiled shower, a compost toilet, and custom details throughout. There’s a surprising amount of built-in storage in the kitchen, while a conscious decision was made to keep the living space open so you could actually exist comfortably without feeling cramped.
The Build
Our Taskers worked long, hard shifts while our team made sure they were well fed, hydrated and in good spirits. The team brought amazing energy and we couldn’t be prouder of the way they worked together. Stay tuned, as we’ll be highlighting more of our Tiny House Taskers’ stories in coming days – they were so great that we want to make sure all of you get to know them better.
The Final Product
Behold, the completed Tiny House! For more photos, be sure to check out our Facebook page.
This was an incredibly inspiring project, and we really enjoyed watching the Tiny House come to life right in the middle of Manhattan. It was amazing to see what our Taskers are capable of, and we’re so glad we were able to support Community Solutions and help fight homelessness, unemployment and health inequity with #ATinyTask.

This new home near Crofton, NE was essentially designed by the homeowner herself. She wanted white to be the focus of her new kitchen and after a little bit of research she knew Cambria carried the best selection of white countertop designs. Her home features Cambria Ella in the large galley style kitchen on her island and perimeter which is accented with her slate appliances. The white farmhouse sink gives her kitchen a little bit of that country charm. So that the home was not white throughout she incorporated dark cabinetry in the bathrooms. A small powder bath on the main level features a Cambria Minera countertop; the master bath vanity countertops are Cambria Brittanicca and the children's bathroom showcases Cambria Berwyn. The home office brings some masculinity into the home with dark wood cabinets and Cambria Laneshaw.

When our client purchased his mother’s home, the house he grew up in, he knew it was time to update while incorporating his preferred contemporary style. Enter remodeling specialists, Renovisions, who were hired to customize his new look.
The main challenge came with creating a more open floor plan. The kitchen was part of one large room, so making this new space unique and awe-inspiring while differentiating from the surrounding dining room was the goal in mind.
Renovisions accomplished this goal by first removing the walls between the dining room and kitchen to open up the space The idea was to draw your eye into the room with some interesting elements such as a 2-tier island, a functional and creative pull-out storage cabinet, sleek looking stainless steel GE appliances and glass mosaic tiles with stunning stainless steel backsplash in a Harlequin pattern. Cement colored quartz countertops in a suede finish and 12” x 24” larger format textured porcelain floor tile in a varied pattern completed the modern look.
Contemporary designs boast simplicity by focusing on clean lines and an uncluttered look. This is exactly what our client wanted and the contemporary styled frameless cherry cabinetry with a medium dark stain infused a masculine vibe.

The reconfiguration of the master bathroom opened up the space by pairing a platform shower with a freestanding tub. The open shower, wall-hung vanity, and wall-hung water closet create continuous flooring and an expansive feeling. The result is a welcoming space with a calming aesthetic.
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