Search results for "Efficiently converts" in Home Design Ideas

This house was a very small mid-century bungalow with previous additions that resulted in a large but chaotic layout. The owners wanted to convert the house to a super-efficient, and charming Craftsman-style, 6 bedroom home for their large family and work at home.
We achieved the space needs by moving a few walls for a more efficient, organized layout, setting up spaces for overlapping uses, and making a small upstairs addition. Every bit of square footage was optimized to meet the goals of the project without making the house huge or adding unnecessary cost.
Much thought was given to the entry sequence near the front door. A large flow-through mudroom with storage for each family member, and adjacent laundry, make it easy for children to be taught to keep their things organized and to contribute to household chores. A mail station and central home admin area at the mudroom help keep clutter down at other areas and minimize home management tasks. A garage door near the kitchen gives quick access to bulk items.
The existing house had too much view to the street from the living room through large corner windows, and too little entry transition, to the extent that the family did not feel comfortable using the living room much without shades drawn. We raised the window sills and brought the new windows in from the corner of the house, allowing plenty of light while protecting privacy and a sense of enclosure in the living room. We enlarged the front porch to create a more graceful transition from the public to private space. We located the front door so that the circulation from entry into the house would allow for furnishing the living room with a sitting circle that is not intruded upon by people walking through the room.
Sight lines through the living spaces were an important consideration in the design. The owners wanted discreet spaces for living room, kitchen, dining and family room, but also wanted the living spaces to feel connected and to be able to easily watch their children. Being able to see the children playing in the yard while getting things done inside the house was also important. While largely working with the existing structure, we opened walls and rearranged the use of spaces to make a series of connected living spaces with long views through them.
The character of the remodeled house is a contemporary Craftsman with classic materials and cool, consistent colors. A few arches echo through the house to frame spaces and soften the feeling of the rooms.
Photography: Kurt Manley
https://saikleyarchitects.com/portfolio/bungalow-expansion/

This house was a very small mid-century bungalow with previous additions that resulted in a large but chaotic layout. The owners wanted to convert the house to a super-efficient, and charming Craftsman-style, 6 bedroom home for their large family and work at home.
We achieved the space needs by moving a few walls for a more efficient, organized layout, setting up spaces for overlapping uses, and making a small upstairs addition. Every bit of square footage was optimized to meet the goals of the project without making the house huge or adding unnecessary cost.
Much thought was given to the entry sequence near the front door. A large flow-through mudroom with storage for each family member, and adjacent laundry, make it easy for children to be taught to keep their things organized and to contribute to household chores. A mail station and central home admin area at the mudroom help keep clutter down at other areas and minimize home management tasks. A garage door near the kitchen gives quick access to bulk items.
The existing house had too much view to the street from the living room through large corner windows, and too little entry transition, to the extent that the family did not feel comfortable using the living room much without shades drawn. We raised the window sills and brought the new windows in from the corner of the house, allowing plenty of light while protecting privacy and a sense of enclosure in the living room. We enlarged the front porch to create a more graceful transition from the public to private space. We located the front door so that the circulation from entry into the house would allow for furnishing the living room with a sitting circle that is not intruded upon by people walking through the room.
Sight lines through the living spaces were an important consideration in the design. The owners wanted discreet spaces for living room, kitchen, dining and family room, but also wanted the living spaces to feel connected and to be able to easily watch their children. Being able to see the children playing in the yard while getting things done inside the house was also important. While largely working with the existing structure, we opened walls and rearranged the use of spaces to make a series of connected living spaces with long views through them.
The character of the remodeled house is a contemporary Craftsman with classic materials and cool, consistent colors. A few arches echo through the house to frame spaces and soften the feeling of the rooms.
Photography: Kurt Manley
https://saikleyarchitects.com/portfolio/bungalow-expansion/

All Weather teamed up with the Property Brothers and actress and comedian Ali Wong on this week’s episode of HGTV’s hit show Celebrity IOU. In the Ali Wong’s Renovation Surprise for A Dear Friend episode, Ali takes sledgehammers and crowbars into her own hands to help transform her best friend, Citadelle’s barren basement and backyard into the perfect indoor-outdoor entertaining space.
Ali credits much of her early success to her best friend, Citadelle, whose tireless support helped her when she first started out in Los Angeles. “I really wouldn’t be where I am if it wasn’t for her,” noted Ali. Citadelle opened up space in her home for Ali while she went on auditions. So years later, Ali knew it was time to give back in a big way. “Her friendship has been such a gift” said Ali. “I was supposed to stay there for two weeks and it ended up being a year.”
With the help of Drew and Jonathan Scott, Ali was determined to update the entire lower level of Citadelle’s home inside and out and making these spaces as entertainment-friendly as possible for the whole family, including Citadelle’s husband and kids, to enjoy. The multipurpose downstairs basement makeover included turning the family room into a classy lounge with a built in bar, removing the basic stand up shower and replacing it with a luxurious spa tub with stone tiles and converting the guest bedroom into “an office by day and bedroom by night” courtesy of a hidden pull down Murphy bed.
All Weather Series 7000 French Swing Doors extend and connect the indoor lounge area to the new outdoor living spaces. The ultimate backyard includes a stylish fireplace, white pergola, outdoor seating and dining area, an outdoor kitchen/grill and new turf for the yard and play structure areas. THE PROPERTY BROTHERS also painted the entire house white with black trim, leveled the backyard and basically doubled the livable square footage of the home. Check out the PROJECT PHOTOS here.
Now in its third season, Celebrity IOU gives celebrities a chance to show their deepest gratitude and to surprise someone who is important in their life by giving their living space a complete transformation, courtesy of the Drew and Jonathan Scott.
Find the right local pro for your project

This house was a very small mid-century bungalow with previous additions that resulted in a large but chaotic layout. The owners wanted to convert the house to a super-efficient, and charming Craftsman-style, 6 bedroom home for their large family and work at home.
We achieved the space needs by moving a few walls for a more efficient, organized layout, setting up spaces for overlapping uses, and making a small upstairs addition. Every bit of square footage was optimized to meet the goals of the project without making the house huge or adding unnecessary cost.
Much thought was given to the entry sequence near the front door. A large flow-through mudroom with storage for each family member, and adjacent laundry, make it easy for children to be taught to keep their things organized and to contribute to household chores. A mail station and central home admin area at the mudroom help keep clutter down at other areas and minimize home management tasks. A garage door near the kitchen gives quick access to bulk items.
The existing house had too much view to the street from the living room through large corner windows, and too little entry transition, to the extent that the family did not feel comfortable using the living room much without shades drawn. We raised the window sills and brought the new windows in from the corner of the house, allowing plenty of light while protecting privacy and a sense of enclosure in the living room. We enlarged the front porch to create a more graceful transition from the public to private space. We located the front door so that the circulation from entry into the house would allow for furnishing the living room with a sitting circle that is not intruded upon by people walking through the room.
Sight lines through the living spaces were an important consideration in the design. The owners wanted discreet spaces for living room, kitchen, dining and family room, but also wanted the living spaces to feel connected and to be able to easily watch their children. Being able to see the children playing in the yard while getting things done inside the house was also important. While largely working with the existing structure, we opened walls and rearranged the use of spaces to make a series of connected living spaces with long views through them.
The character of the remodeled house is a contemporary Craftsman with classic materials and cool, consistent colors. A few arches echo through the house to frame spaces and soften the feeling of the rooms.
Photography: Kurt Manley
https://saikleyarchitects.com/portfolio/bungalow-expansion/

Modern Citi Group recently collaborated with Amelia and Jeremy to reimagine their newly purchased Junior-4 apartment with a complete remodel. This exciting renovation transformed the layout to add a second bedroom, a full second bathroom, and an updated kitchen layout. The goal was to create a functional, family-friendly floor plan and a modern, visually appealing space tailored to their lifestyle.
Our design team faced the challenge of balancing modern aesthetics with a strict budget. After exploring multiple layout options and visualizations, Amelia and Jeremy chose a design they felt best suited their vision.
The construction team brought the design to life, converting the dining room into a second bedroom with a large closet. The kitchen layout was reconfigured to feature an island, additional storage, and ergonomic functionality. We transformed a powder room into a full second bathroom with a walk-in shower and re-purposed the walk-in closet off the primary bedroom into a home office with a built-in desk.
Our professionals refinished floors, walls, and ceilings, upgraded plumbing and electrical systems, and installed additional lighting throughout to optimize flow and functionality.
The kitchen featured solid wood cabinetry, quartz countertops, and a porcelain tile floor. Neutral gray-blue cabinets complement the Empira White stone and matte black hardware, creating a sleek, fashion-forward space.
Both bathrooms were reimagined with luxurious new tiling, stylish fixtures, and upgraded plumbing and lighting. The powder room was converted into a full bathroom with a walk-in shower, featuring Arabescato Marble porcelain tiles and Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue walls to unify the kitchen and bath designs. High-quality fixtures from Delta and Kohler added a refined touch.
In just a few short months, Modern Citi Group transformed an outdated apartment into a sleek, modern home. The remodel beautifully combines style, comfort, and functionality, creating a space that's both elevated and efficient.

Modern Citi Group recently collaborated with Amelia and Jeremy to reimagine their newly purchased Junior-4 apartment with a complete remodel. This exciting renovation transformed the layout to add a second bedroom, a full second bathroom, and an updated kitchen layout. The goal was to create a functional, family-friendly floor plan and a modern, visually appealing space tailored to their lifestyle.
Our design team faced the challenge of balancing modern aesthetics with a strict budget. After exploring multiple layout options and visualizations, Amelia and Jeremy chose a design they felt best suited their vision.
The construction team brought the design to life, converting the dining room into a second bedroom with a large closet. The kitchen layout was reconfigured to feature an island, additional storage, and ergonomic functionality. We transformed a powder room into a full second bathroom with a walk-in shower and re-purposed the walk-in closet off the primary bedroom into a home office with a built-in desk.
Our professionals refinished floors, walls, and ceilings, upgraded plumbing and electrical systems, and installed additional lighting throughout to optimize flow and functionality.
The kitchen featured solid wood cabinetry, quartz countertops, and a porcelain tile floor. Neutral gray-blue cabinets complement the Empira White stone and matte black hardware, creating a sleek, fashion-forward space.
Both bathrooms were reimagined with luxurious new tiling, stylish fixtures, and upgraded plumbing and lighting. The powder room was converted into a full bathroom with a walk-in shower, featuring Arabescato Marble porcelain tiles and Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue walls to unify the kitchen and bath designs. High-quality fixtures from Delta and Kohler added a refined touch.
In just a few short months, Modern Citi Group transformed an outdated apartment into a sleek, modern home. The remodel beautifully combines style, comfort, and functionality, creating a space that's both elevated and efficient.

This house was a very small mid-century bungalow with previous additions that resulted in a large but chaotic layout. The owners wanted to convert the house to a super-efficient, and charming Craftsman-style, 6 bedroom home for their large family and work at home.
We achieved the space needs by moving a few walls for a more efficient, organized layout, setting up spaces for overlapping uses, and making a small upstairs addition. Every bit of square footage was optimized to meet the goals of the project without making the house huge or adding unnecessary cost.
Much thought was given to the entry sequence near the front door. A large flow-through mudroom with storage for each family member, and adjacent laundry, make it easy for children to be taught to keep their things organized and to contribute to household chores. A mail station and central home admin area at the mudroom help keep clutter down at other areas and minimize home management tasks. A garage door near the kitchen gives quick access to bulk items.
The existing house had too much view to the street from the living room through large corner windows, and too little entry transition, to the extent that the family did not feel comfortable using the living room much without shades drawn. We raised the window sills and brought the new windows in from the corner of the house, allowing plenty of light while protecting privacy and a sense of enclosure in the living room. We enlarged the front porch to create a more graceful transition from the public to private space. We located the front door so that the circulation from entry into the house would allow for furnishing the living room with a sitting circle that is not intruded upon by people walking through the room.
Sight lines through the living spaces were an important consideration in the design. The owners wanted discreet spaces for living room, kitchen, dining and family room, but also wanted the living spaces to feel connected and to be able to easily watch their children. Being able to see the children playing in the yard while getting things done inside the house was also important. While largely working with the existing structure, we opened walls and rearranged the use of spaces to make a series of connected living spaces with long views through them.
The character of the remodeled house is a contemporary Craftsman with classic materials and cool, consistent colors. A few arches echo through the house to frame spaces and soften the feeling of the rooms.
Photography: Kurt Manley
https://saikleyarchitects.com/portfolio/bungalow-expansion/

Modern Citi Group recently collaborated with Amelia and Jeremy to reimagine their newly purchased Junior-4 apartment with a complete remodel. This exciting renovation transformed the layout to add a second bedroom, a full second bathroom, and an updated kitchen layout. The goal was to create a functional, family-friendly floor plan and a modern, visually appealing space tailored to their lifestyle.
Our design team faced the challenge of balancing modern aesthetics with a strict budget. After exploring multiple layout options and visualizations, Amelia and Jeremy chose a design they felt best suited their vision.
The construction team brought the design to life, converting the dining room into a second bedroom with a large closet. The kitchen layout was reconfigured to feature an island, additional storage, and ergonomic functionality. We transformed a powder room into a full second bathroom with a walk-in shower and re-purposed the walk-in closet off the primary bedroom into a home office with a built-in desk.
Our professionals refinished floors, walls, and ceilings, upgraded plumbing and electrical systems, and installed additional lighting throughout to optimize flow and functionality.
The kitchen featured solid wood cabinetry, quartz countertops, and a porcelain tile floor. Neutral gray-blue cabinets complement the Empira White stone and matte black hardware, creating a sleek, fashion-forward space.
Both bathrooms were reimagined with luxurious new tiling, stylish fixtures, and upgraded plumbing and lighting. The powder room was converted into a full bathroom with a walk-in shower, featuring Arabescato Marble porcelain tiles and Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue walls to unify the kitchen and bath designs. High-quality fixtures from Delta and Kohler added a refined touch.
In just a few short months, Modern Citi Group transformed an outdated apartment into a sleek, modern home. The remodel beautifully combines style, comfort, and functionality, creating a space that's both elevated and efficient.

Modern Citi Group recently collaborated with Amelia and Jeremy to reimagine their newly purchased Junior-4 apartment with a complete remodel. This exciting renovation transformed the layout to add a second bedroom, a full second bathroom, and an updated kitchen layout. The goal was to create a functional, family-friendly floor plan and a modern, visually appealing space tailored to their lifestyle.
Our design team faced the challenge of balancing modern aesthetics with a strict budget. After exploring multiple layout options and visualizations, Amelia and Jeremy chose a design they felt best suited their vision.
The construction team brought the design to life, converting the dining room into a second bedroom with a large closet. The kitchen layout was reconfigured to feature an island, additional storage, and ergonomic functionality. We transformed a powder room into a full second bathroom with a walk-in shower and re-purposed the walk-in closet off the primary bedroom into a home office with a built-in desk.
Our professionals refinished floors, walls, and ceilings, upgraded plumbing and electrical systems, and installed additional lighting throughout to optimize flow and functionality.
The kitchen featured solid wood cabinetry, quartz countertops, and a porcelain tile floor. Neutral gray-blue cabinets complement the Empira White stone and matte black hardware, creating a sleek, fashion-forward space.
Both bathrooms were reimagined with luxurious new tiling, stylish fixtures, and upgraded plumbing and lighting. The powder room was converted into a full bathroom with a walk-in shower, featuring Arabescato Marble porcelain tiles and Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue walls to unify the kitchen and bath designs. High-quality fixtures from Delta and Kohler added a refined touch.
In just a few short months, Modern Citi Group transformed an outdated apartment into a sleek, modern home. The remodel beautifully combines style, comfort, and functionality, creating a space that's both elevated and efficient.

We converted this seldom used guest bedroom into an efficient and contemporary office, which could easily be turned back into a guest bedroom. The challenge was to use the space as efficiently as possible so that this could be used as a functional home office.

Modern Citi Group recently collaborated with Amelia and Jeremy to reimagine their newly purchased Junior-4 apartment with a complete remodel. This exciting renovation transformed the layout to add a second bedroom, a full second bathroom, and an updated kitchen layout. The goal was to create a functional, family-friendly floor plan and a modern, visually appealing space tailored to their lifestyle.
Our design team faced the challenge of balancing modern aesthetics with a strict budget. After exploring multiple layout options and visualizations, Amelia and Jeremy chose a design they felt best suited their vision.
The construction team brought the design to life, converting the dining room into a second bedroom with a large closet. The kitchen layout was reconfigured to feature an island, additional storage, and ergonomic functionality. We transformed a powder room into a full second bathroom with a walk-in shower and re-purposed the walk-in closet off the primary bedroom into a home office with a built-in desk.
Our professionals refinished floors, walls, and ceilings, upgraded plumbing and electrical systems, and installed additional lighting throughout to optimize flow and functionality.
The kitchen featured solid wood cabinetry, quartz countertops, and a porcelain tile floor. Neutral gray-blue cabinets complement the Empira White stone and matte black hardware, creating a sleek, fashion-forward space.
Both bathrooms were reimagined with luxurious new tiling, stylish fixtures, and upgraded plumbing and lighting. The powder room was converted into a full bathroom with a walk-in shower, featuring Arabescato Marble porcelain tiles and Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue walls to unify the kitchen and bath designs. High-quality fixtures from Delta and Kohler added a refined touch.
In just a few short months, Modern Citi Group transformed an outdated apartment into a sleek, modern home. The remodel beautifully combines style, comfort, and functionality, creating a space that's both elevated and efficient.

A converted stone barn of 2 three bedroom and 1 two bedroom homes with terraces and or gardens. Handicap accessible and energy efficient in southern France.

This client in the South Bay wanted to beautify their home, boost curb appeal, and conserve water by replacing their front lawn with drought tolerant landscaping. The landscape that we designed andn installed qualified for a rebate through the Santa Clara Valley Water District Landscape Rebate Program. "This program is designed to encourage residents and businesses to convert approved high-water use landscape, such as lawns and pools, to low-water use landscape, as well as to retrofit existing irrigation equipment with approved high-efficiency irrigation equipment."

This house was a very small mid-century bungalow with previous additions that resulted in a large but chaotic layout. The owners wanted to convert the house to a super-efficient, and charming Craftsman-style, 6 bedroom home for their large family and work at home.
We achieved the space needs by moving a few walls for a more efficient, organized layout, setting up spaces for overlapping uses, and making a small upstairs addition. Every bit of square footage was optimized to meet the goals of the project without making the house huge or adding unnecessary cost.
Much thought was given to the entry sequence near the front door. A large flow-through mudroom with storage for each family member, and adjacent laundry, make it easy for children to be taught to keep their things organized and to contribute to household chores. A mail station and central home admin area at the mudroom help keep clutter down at other areas and minimize home management tasks. A garage door near the kitchen gives quick access to bulk items.
The existing house had too much view to the street from the living room through large corner windows, and too little entry transition, to the extent that the family did not feel comfortable using the living room much without shades drawn. We raised the window sills and brought the new windows in from the corner of the house, allowing plenty of light while protecting privacy and a sense of enclosure in the living room. We enlarged the front porch to create a more graceful transition from the public to private space. We located the front door so that the circulation from entry into the house would allow for furnishing the living room with a sitting circle that is not intruded upon by people walking through the room.
Sight lines through the living spaces were an important consideration in the design. The owners wanted discreet spaces for living room, kitchen, dining and family room, but also wanted the living spaces to feel connected and to be able to easily watch their children. Being able to see the children playing in the yard while getting things done inside the house was also important. While largely working with the existing structure, we opened walls and rearranged the use of spaces to make a series of connected living spaces with long views through them.
The character of the remodeled house is a contemporary Craftsman with classic materials and cool, consistent colors. A few arches echo through the house to frame spaces and soften the feeling of the rooms.
Photography: Kurt Manley
https://saikleyarchitects.com/portfolio/bungalow-expansion/

Green Home Systems recently completed a solar installation project in Barstow, California. We provided Albert L. with a 3.60 kW photovoltaic system that allowed him to reduce his utility bill and increase his home value.
Albert chose Green Home Systems because of our competitive pricing and easy payment terms. We worked closely with him to ensure the project was completed quickly and efficiently. Our experienced team of professionals was able to complete the project in less than a month and Albert was very pleased with the results.
At Green Home Systems, we pride ourselves on providing our customers with superior customer service and quality products. We use only the highest quality materials and equipment and take great care to ensure every installation meets our exacting standards for safety and efficiency. Our knowledgeable staff is always available to answer questions about our products or services and provide helpful advice on how to get the most out of your solar energy system.
Our solar energy systems are designed to provide maximum performance with minimal maintenance. Every system includes an inverter that converts the direct current (DC) electricity generated by the solar panels into alternating current (AC) electricity which is used by your home or business. We also offer monitoring services that allow you to track your system’s performance in real time so you can make sure your investment is working as expected.
At Green Home Systems, we understand how important it is for our customers to feel confident in their investment and that’s why we offer competitive financing options through our partners at Sunrun and Sunpower. With these programs you can get started with a low down payment and then pay off your system over time while still enjoying substantial savings on your utility bills each month.
We are proud of the work we do at Green Home Systems and we strive to ensure that every customer is satisfied with their experience. It was an honor for us to work with Albert on this project in Barstow, California and we look forward to continuing to help more people make the switch to solar energy in the future!

Modern Citi Group recently collaborated with Amelia and Jeremy to reimagine their newly purchased Junior-4 apartment with a complete remodel. This exciting renovation transformed the layout to add a second bedroom, a full second bathroom, and an updated kitchen layout. The goal was to create a functional, family-friendly floor plan and a modern, visually appealing space tailored to their lifestyle.
Our design team faced the challenge of balancing modern aesthetics with a strict budget. After exploring multiple layout options and visualizations, Amelia and Jeremy chose a design they felt best suited their vision.
The construction team brought the design to life, converting the dining room into a second bedroom with a large closet. The kitchen layout was reconfigured to feature an island, additional storage, and ergonomic functionality. We transformed a powder room into a full second bathroom with a walk-in shower and re-purposed the walk-in closet off the primary bedroom into a home office with a built-in desk.
Our professionals refinished floors, walls, and ceilings, upgraded plumbing and electrical systems, and installed additional lighting throughout to optimize flow and functionality.
The kitchen featured solid wood cabinetry, quartz countertops, and a porcelain tile floor. Neutral gray-blue cabinets complement the Empira White stone and matte black hardware, creating a sleek, fashion-forward space.
Both bathrooms were reimagined with luxurious new tiling, stylish fixtures, and upgraded plumbing and lighting. The powder room was converted into a full bathroom with a walk-in shower, featuring Arabescato Marble porcelain tiles and Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue walls to unify the kitchen and bath designs. High-quality fixtures from Delta and Kohler added a refined touch.
In just a few short months, Modern Citi Group transformed an outdated apartment into a sleek, modern home. The remodel beautifully combines style, comfort, and functionality, creating a space that's both elevated and efficient.

Modern Citi Group recently collaborated with Amelia and Jeremy to reimagine their newly purchased Junior-4 apartment with a complete remodel. This exciting renovation transformed the layout to add a second bedroom, a full second bathroom, and an updated kitchen layout. The goal was to create a functional, family-friendly floor plan and a modern, visually appealing space tailored to their lifestyle.
Our design team faced the challenge of balancing modern aesthetics with a strict budget. After exploring multiple layout options and visualizations, Amelia and Jeremy chose a design they felt best suited their vision.
The construction team brought the design to life, converting the dining room into a second bedroom with a large closet. The kitchen layout was reconfigured to feature an island, additional storage, and ergonomic functionality. We transformed a powder room into a full second bathroom with a walk-in shower and re-purposed the walk-in closet off the primary bedroom into a home office with a built-in desk.
Our professionals refinished floors, walls, and ceilings, upgraded plumbing and electrical systems, and installed additional lighting throughout to optimize flow and functionality.
The kitchen featured solid wood cabinetry, quartz countertops, and a porcelain tile floor. Neutral gray-blue cabinets complement the Empira White stone and matte black hardware, creating a sleek, fashion-forward space.
Both bathrooms were reimagined with luxurious new tiling, stylish fixtures, and upgraded plumbing and lighting. The powder room was converted into a full bathroom with a walk-in shower, featuring Arabescato Marble porcelain tiles and Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue walls to unify the kitchen and bath designs. High-quality fixtures from Delta and Kohler added a refined touch.
In just a few short months, Modern Citi Group transformed an outdated apartment into a sleek, modern home. The remodel beautifully combines style, comfort, and functionality, creating a space that's both elevated and efficient.

Exterior: architectural character, curb appeal and integration of the project into its setting
Interior: creative and innovative use of space including architectural detail and form
Functionality of floor plan
Environmental considerations (energy, comfort, health)
Construction details/techniques to achieve industry best practices
Natural-stone façades, mullioned windows, and aggregate sidewalks/paths pay homage to site’s heritage as historic family farm replaced by socially-aware, urban-chic residence.
Columns framing front-door appear to be decorative, but actually provided cross-venting.
Basement includes 3-bedroom/2-bath legal suite with its own hot-water heating and mechanical system. Easily converted to a strata unit in the future if desired. Mortgage-helper for now, retirement planning for the future.
Natural-stone siding (3x-3-inch square) is labour intensive to install but meets clients’ desire for high-end, castle-inspired look.
Extra-wide baseboards and wainscot throughout balance high-profile crown-molding.
Entertainment style kitchen is ready to greet guests with expansive island featuring casual eating-bar on two sides, plenty of space to spread out a buffet of appies when guests come calling, and funky Olympic-inspired, five-ring chandeliers. After all, you know it, the best parties still end up in the kitchen. Two-tone grey-on-white colour palette on gloss cabinets is eye-catching combination of modern minimalism and timeless tradition...and easy-to-clean.
3x3-foot marble-look porcelain floor-tile throughout main-floor adds modern elegance
Master suite with cleverly-designed, generously-sized sleeping/bathing space, full-width east-facing balcony away from busy traffic, plus an efficiently-designed walk-in closet.
Ensuite includes a two-person shower with warm, soft-touch porcelain tile (dramatic in dark texture with vertical racing-stripe of glass-mosaic tile), both rain-head and handheld shower options, and body sprays. Plenty of room for a retreat for one or an efficient rush out the door for two.
W/D intelligently located on bedroom-level: convenient for every generation.
Soundproof windows.
Engineered, white-oak hardwood flooring throughout.
Built to PassiveHaus standards (certification pending), high-level environmental-savvy features include state-of-the-art Lifebreath HRV (removes bacteria from interior air), radiant in-floor heating, and on-demand, tankless hot-water.
EV-charger for two vehicles.

A residential transformation in Lynwood, California, converting an existing structure into an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) and Junior ADU (JADU) to maximize usability and long-term property value.
The project focuses on efficient space planning, clear organization, and code-compliant design to create independent living units within a compact footprint. Thoughtful layouts enhance privacy, natural light, and functionality, supporting both comfortable living and flexible use.
Developed as part of a multi-unit strategy, the design responds to California’s evolving housing needs while offering a practical and refined solution for homeowners and potential rental income.

This house was a very small mid-century bungalow with previous additions that resulted in a large but chaotic layout. The owners wanted to convert the house to a super-efficient, and charming Craftsman-style, 6 bedroom home for their large family and work at home.
We achieved the space needs by moving a few walls for a more efficient, organized layout, setting up spaces for overlapping uses, and making a small upstairs addition. Every bit of square footage was optimized to meet the goals of the project without making the house huge or adding unnecessary cost.
Much thought was given to the entry sequence near the front door. A large flow-through mudroom with storage for each family member, and adjacent laundry, make it easy for children to be taught to keep their things organized and to contribute to household chores. A mail station and central home admin area at the mudroom help keep clutter down at other areas and minimize home management tasks. A garage door near the kitchen gives quick access to bulk items.
The existing house had too much view to the street from the living room through large corner windows, and too little entry transition, to the extent that the family did not feel comfortable using the living room much without shades drawn. We raised the window sills and brought the new windows in from the corner of the house, allowing plenty of light while protecting privacy and a sense of enclosure in the living room. We enlarged the front porch to create a more graceful transition from the public to private space. We located the front door so that the circulation from entry into the house would allow for furnishing the living room with a sitting circle that is not intruded upon by people walking through the room.
Sight lines through the living spaces were an important consideration in the design. The owners wanted discreet spaces for living room, kitchen, dining and family room, but also wanted the living spaces to feel connected and to be able to easily watch their children. Being able to see the children playing in the yard while getting things done inside the house was also important. While largely working with the existing structure, we opened walls and rearranged the use of spaces to make a series of connected living spaces with long views through them.
The character of the remodeled house is a contemporary Craftsman with classic materials and cool, consistent colors. A few arches echo through the house to frame spaces and soften the feeling of the rooms.
Photography: Kurt Manley
https://saikleyarchitects.com/portfolio/bungalow-expansion/
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