Photo by Jody Dole This charming farmhouse sits atop a grassy hill overlooking a serene Connecticut River Estuary. The new design reformulated the first floor plan making it much more functional and visually exciting. It encompassed the reorganization of multiple spaces including the Mudroom, Kitchen, Dining Room, Family Room, Sun Room, Laundry, Bathroom, and Master Closet. The design also added, deleted, and relocated windows and French doors to greatly enhance exterior views, draw in more natural light, and seamlessly upgrade the articulation of exterior elevations. Improvements to the plumbing and mechanical systems were also made. The overall feeling is both sophisticated and yet very much down to earth. John R. Schroeder, AIA is a professional design firm specializing in architecture, interiors, and planning. We have over 30 years experience with projects of all types, sizes, and levels of complexity. Because we love what we do, we approach our work with enthusiasm and dedication. We are committed to the highest level of design and service on each and every project. We engage our clients in positive and rewarding collaborations. We strive to exceed expectations through our attention to detail, our understanding of the “big picture”, and our ability to effectively manage a team of design professionals, industry representatives, and building contractors. We carefully analyze budgets and project objectives to assist clients with wise fund allocation. We continually monitor and research advances in technology, materials, and construction methods, both sustainable and otherwise, to provide a responsible, well-suited, and cost effective product. Our design solutions are highly functional using both innovative and traditional approaches. Our aesthetic style is flexible and open, blending cues from client desires, building function, site context, and material properties, making each project unique, personalized, and enduring.

This home in Napa off Silverado was rebuilt after burning down in the 2017 fires. Architect David Rulon, a former associate of Howard Backen, known for this Napa Valley industrial modern farmhouse style. Composed in mostly a neutral palette, the bones of this house are bathed in diffused natural light pouring in through the clerestory windows. Beautiful textures and the layering of pattern with a mix of materials add drama to a neutral backdrop. The homeowners are pleased with their open floor plan and fluid seating areas, which allow them to entertain large gatherings. The result is an engaging space, a personal sanctuary and a true reflection of it's owners' unique aesthetic. Inspirational features are metal fireplace surround and book cases as well as Beverage Bar shelving done by Wyatt Studio, painted inset style cabinets by Gamma, moroccan CLE tile backsplash and quartzite countertops.

Nothing like a bluestone patio, unless it's a bluestone patio with a built in fire pit. A small outdoor kitchen with clapboard siding is both convenient and stylized to coordinate with the landscape design.

Looking at this home today, you would never know that the project began as a poorly maintained duplex. Luckily, the homeowners saw past the worn façade and engaged our team to uncover and update the Victorian gem that lay underneath. Taking special care to preserve the historical integrity of the 100-year-old floor plan, we returned the home back to its original glory as a grand, single family home. The project included many renovations, both small and large, including the addition of a a wraparound porch to bring the façade closer to the street, a gable with custom scrollwork to accent the new front door, and a more substantial balustrade. Windows were added to bring in more light and some interior walls were removed to open up the public spaces to accommodate the family’s lifestyle. You can read more about the transformation of this home in Old House Journal: http://www.cummingsarchitects.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Old-House-Journal-Dec.-2009.pdf Photo Credit: Eric Roth

Concrete steps punctuated by lighting strips leading up to covered terrace and the entry door. building Lab is a design build firm specialized in modern architecture.

A new-renovation of a Beacon Hill townhouse gets a new look. It was clear from the beginning we needed to seamlessly meld old and new to bring a fresh approach to the interiors of this new home for a young family. Our client owned beautiful antiques and some well-loved, but worn pieces that had the right lines but needed a style upgrade. With a wonderful, engaged client we artfully edited, re-covered and added many new pieces to create a cohesive style with classic forms. The new home is a perfect mixture of beautiful fabrics, functional custom millwork, unique decorative lighting and elegant wall coverings, carpets, and window treatments. Eric Roth Photography

This fun 11yr old boys room was designed around this custom canvas. Upon working with the canvas & his favorite color teal as inspiration- he chose bedding for its soft quality which is reversible and cost effective. To pull the room together we mocked the Chevron pattern on the back wall, painted the old wood armoire shiny white, added the white leather headboard, mirrored night table & finished with touch lite lamps. While creating kids rooms a budget & guide lines are created with the parent(s) & my favorite part is engaging with the kids to give them a voice & decision making skills in the space. This creates balance between the child & parent. A parent wants the space to be everlasting from a monetary value, as well want their child to be happy in their space. Having the child contribute to the process gets them really excited about the transformation and offers ultimate happiness in their personalized space. Aren King

Engage Photo and Video
Bathroom - mid-sized contemporary gray tile and porcelain tile porcelain tile bathroom idea in Portland with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, quartz countertops and beige walls

Engage Photo & Video
Mid-sized cottage single-wall light wood floor kitchen photo in Portland with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, solid surface countertops, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

We recently enjoyed the opportunity to remodel three floors of a nineteenth-century Cambridge home with our project partners, architect Tom Downer and designer Jayme Kennerknecht/LDa Architects. . • The owners – a family of four that includes both a teenager and a toddler - wanted a house better suited to entertaining but also appropriate for family together time. Specific improvements on their wish list included a playroom that could handle differing family needs, a custom bar for entertaining, a new fireplace, and an inviting kitchen that would remain distinct but be better connected to adjoining rooms. • Adding a fireplace to the living room involved rebuilding the entire back wall of the home. The fireplace mantel was custom designed to match an existing mantel in the nearby dining room, which is original to the home. • In the playroom, care was taken to create zones for three members of the family: The mother enjoys crafting and now has a station directly below existing skylights, the teenager has a semi-private nook at the back of the space for relaxing, and the youngest in the family can enjoy toys and games placed along one wall alongside a rug for playing on the floor. On the same level, we created a separate guest bedroom with a new closet and a window designed to match other windows throughout the home. • The kitchen is fully upgraded and custom designed to accommodate the mother’s cooking habits, with specific elements including a farmer’s sink in the island and a stainless steel counter with an integrated sink for food preparation placed behind it on the counter. To improve storage in the much-used room, corner drawer units were installed instead of lazy Susan cabinets. Also, the homeowners were not interested in an open floor plan, but did want to improve access to the living room and yard beyond. This was achieved by expanding the opening between the two rooms allowing the cook to engage with family and guests and have a clear view when children are playing in the yard. Photo by Shelly Harrison

Our socially engaged, active client transplanted from the East Coast found a charming older home in Minneapolis that provided a home base in a new city. While the home had its charm, the dark interior didn’t provide the uplifting respite she desired. With a busy travel schedule and calendar full of after-hours social events, she was looking for a space to unwind at the end of a long day. She wanted to maximize her time at home, and a place to host friends pre-gala. We transformed an extra bedroom into a happy-hour type lounge with upholstered chairs and bar cart along with her Grandmother’s vanity and privacy screen for the ultimate pre-gala experience. In the kitchen, we replaced the dark cabinetry with open painted shelves to lighten the space and provide convenient access to her glassware, adding sparkle to the room. And perhaps most importantly, her bedroom is now a quiet, peaceful refuge with luxurious details that wrap her in warmth and relaxation. ------- Project designed by Minneapolis interior design studio LiLu Interiors. They serve the Minneapolis-St. Paul area including Wayzata, Edina, and Rochester, and they travel to the far-flung destinations that their upscale clientele own second homes in. ------ For more about LiLu Interiors, click here: https://www.liluinteriors.com/ --- To learn more about this project, click here: https://www.liluinteriors.com/blog/portfolio-items/deco-boutique-home/

A new-renovation of a Beacon Hill townhouse gets a new look. It was clear from the beginning we needed to seamlessly meld old and new to bring a fresh approach to the interiors of this new home for a young family. Our client owned beautiful antiques and some well-loved, but worn pieces that had the right lines but needed a style upgrade. With a wonderful, engaged client we artfully edited, re-covered and added many new pieces to create a cohesive style with classic forms. The new home is a perfect mixture of beautiful fabrics, functional custom millwork, unique decorative lighting and elegant wall coverings, carpets, and window treatments. Eric Roth Photography

A family of five, who live in a prestigious McLean neighborhood, was looking to renovate and upgrade their 20 year old kitchen. She was tired of the bleached look on her kitchen, and now was looking for light but updated look at her kitchen. She also did not want to deal with having a cook top in her Island and wanted professional appliances and better traffic pattern. Challenges: The bulkheads were stuffed with lots of duct work and plumbing. All need to be relocated in order to take advantage of the height. The kitchen was over a very tight crawl space area that made access to run gas line, and plumbing line much more challenging. Adjacent family room needed to become part of this grand plan and as part of the oval scheme of work tie into kitchen cabinetry. Design Solutions: The plan was to give a French country look to this kitchen, by carrying the overall soft and creamy color scheme of main floor furniture in the new kitchen. The back wall of the kitchen now occupied by 48” professional range under a custom wood hood. New tower style refrigerator covered in matching wood panels is placed at the end of the run, just create more work space on both sides of the stove. New plumbing was run for prep. Sink in the new island in order to have a second cook can work in the kitchen. The large contrasting Island in a Dark chocolate finish now offers a second dishwasher, a beverage center and built in microwave. Also serves as a large buffet style counter space and accommodate up to five seats around it. Smart use of detailed crown and trim molding are highlights of this kitchen. Just to the west of this kitchen, we used to have a bare was with a 36” fireplace in it. Our goal was to get all surrounding walls involved with this renovation. Now the entirety of this wall in filled with lower cabinetry and upper display cabinetry and a working station at the end of the run. The fireplace was wrapped with matching color mantel and got equipped for a new large TV above it New cabinetry was added to butler area to harmonize with new kitchen. We have introduced a large size porcelain tile floor for entire family room and kitchen just to give it bigger space look and easy upon the traffic pattern. Outcome: The rare exotic counter top stone was the most favorite item in this kitchen for the homeowner. The way it connects with a brown glazing of the cabinetry and compliments the stone backsplash tile with an interesting picture frame inset niche above stove area is breathtaking. She is thrilled with the end result and cannot wait to celebrate her son’s engagement party in her new and exciting kitchen.

We gave the Chris an Sarah master bathroom an update by keeping the same location of everything but removing their large podium jetted tub and replacing it with an elegant free standing tub and faucet; removing their fiberglass surround shower and replacing with a deep tiled shower with bypass glass doors; and removing the carpeted/true tile section and installing luxury vinyl plank throughout. To make the space more unique, on top of their vanities we installed an open shelving counter cabinet with 2 drawers. Chris and Sarah did a great job of adding their touches on at the end with bathroom mats, touches of blue & grey towels, the hanging vanity mirrors (they supplied), and other nick knack décor.

The Home The Branson’s covered porch, with its sturdy tapered columns, decorative pediment gables and large picturesque window-scape, invites you to enjoy a refreshing approach to a two-story bungalow-style home. Upon entering, The Branson features a bright and open study with a double-door closure. Moving through the foyer into the adjoined, naturally-lit great room, the well-equipped café-style kitchen and flexible dining area instantly inspires the “Live, Laugh, Love” trifecta of family togetherness. In the kitchen, the oversized eat-in island commands attention while leading your eye up to the nine-foot ceilings, around to the cozy contemporary gas fireplace and along the durable plank flooring. Up the centrally located stairwell, guests will find the “family hub” with three large secondary bedrooms, an ample sized bonus room tucked into the corner of the second level for some recreation or relaxation, and a restful primary suite complete with walk-in spa shower, walk-in closet and separate water closet all adjoined to a spacious master bedroom. In the basement, there is prime space for added bedrooms, full bathroom and an “anything” room. The Builder As a local, privately held homebuilder and community developer, Oakwood Homes pioneers new standards for livable luxury. We innovate through purposeful and efficient design, always using local materials, manufacturers and resources. We also provide an engaging yet straightforward homebuying experience that is unmatched in the industry. Our mission is simple: to create luxury homes that are accessible and personable at every budget – for homebuyers in every stage of life. The Interior Design With bright white walls as a jumping off point, accent colors of gray blue, blush and plum add in something for everyone. Dark woods ground the design and pops of metallic gold add interest and flair. Cozy soft goods and bedding soften the space making it approachable and welcoming for the whole family to grow into and enjoy together for many years.

The simple Navy cabinets, pendant glass lights, and playful, scallop-patterned backsplash engage the senses by reflecting the blues of the nearby water, while the wall of white subway tile delineates the kitchen from the rest of the open area. This has the effect of drawing the eye up to the vaulted ceiling, which complements the house’s architecture instead of fighting it. The once-dingy space is now alive with light and color, adding an exciting new dimension to this waterside home.

The simple Navy cabinets, pendant glass lights, and playful, scallop-patterned backsplash engage the senses by reflecting the blues of the nearby water, while the wall of white subway tile delineates the kitchen from the rest of the open area. This has the effect of drawing the eye up to the vaulted ceiling, which complements the house’s architecture instead of fighting it. The once-dingy space is now alive with light and color, adding an exciting new dimension to this waterside home.

These engaging homeowners are fortuitous enough to reside in a three level townhouse on a quiet street in downtown Minneapolis. This couple loves to entertain and host family holidays. Spaces are tight in most urban areas. This townhome is no exception. There was nothing horribly wrong with the way the home was laid out, it just did not serve the needs of the family. The kitchen was tucked up front and forced into a small space, making it difficult for multiple people to be in the space at the same time. The homeowners also wished to upgrade to professional appliances. Due to size and mechanical code restrictions, this was just not possible in the existing space. The back of the townhome had a large living room and good sized dining room. Off this space is a shaded deck and swimming pool, which are used all the time. Traffic always ran from the outdoor entertaining space directly to the kitchen in the front. Not only was this inconvenient, a mess was dragged in from wet swimmers. To alleviate these challenges, we moved the kitchen from the smaller space at the front of the home to the larger space the under utilized living room furniture occupied. This allowed us to curate a large kitchen that fits all their needs, wants, and aesthetic desires. Now there is plenty of room to cook, relax, and bustle about. We also added a wet bar next to the patio door in the dining room. Right by the door is a beverage cooler from which guests may grab beverages and snacks without dragging the outside in with them. Being the homeowners and designer are all members of the creative community in the Twin Cities, it was important to incorporate the work of local artists. This kitchen is fully curated with all Minnesota products (with the exception of the appliances, which are manufactured in Wisconsin). The cabinets and countertops are from larger local companies, while all the other features are hand made by near by artists. These artisan products include a custom stainless steel range hood, black powder coated table base and fireplace mantel, hand made tile for the backsplash and fireplace surround, wood elevated island table, and wood panel backsplash at the bar. Hand made tiles had previously been installed in the existing kitchen. The color of these tiles is no longer available. It was the home- owners desire to preserve these tiles somehow. We cut the tile off the walls and soaked the drywall from them. We then installed them in the powder room as a feature behind the vanity and mirror.

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