Home bar photo in DC Metro

This custom home build was based off of the model home that was built in the community of Prairie Pass. The owners purchased the lot almost a year in advance of the build. Once the build started they had Billy incorporate into the exterior front a similar look that he had added to the communities club house front exterior. The interior of this home offers the homeowner an open floor plan that is great for entertaining. Philip Slowiak Photography

Ross Pushinaitis ross@exceptionalframes.com
Eat-in kitchen - mid-sized transitional u-shaped ceramic tile and beige floor eat-in kitchen idea in San Francisco with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, black appliances, a peninsula and white countertops

From Mid-Century Classic to the Present An iconic design updated with comfort, function, and flow for today. A Remodel That Balances Past and Present What started as a desire to update a classic Eichler soon became an exploration of how Mid-Century Modern design can successfully evolve for today. The client, a tech professional with a passion for scuba diving and underwater photography, wanted a home that would both honor its original character and feel tailored to his daily life. A lifelong technology enthusiast, he still owns the very first Mac desktop he saved up for as a teenager working at Radio Shack, a detail that underscores his appreciation for design that melds function and form. Honoring Separation While Expanding Possibility Unlike many contemporary remodels where walls are opened up to create expansive living spaces, this project took a more restrained approach. The client valued the defined rooms of the original plan and wanted to preserve as much wall space as possible for displaying his large-format underwater photography. The emphasis was not on dramatic spatial reinvention, but on thoughtful refinements. Klopf Architecture shaped a gallery-like backdrop while also expanding the primary suite, modernizing materials and fixtures throughout the home, and improving the functionality and layout of the kitchen. The finished home feels at once timeless and renewed, an Eichler that continues to inspire while fully supporting the lifestyle of its present-day owner. A major turning point came mid-design. The original project brief had not included an addition, but as the reconfiguration of the primary bedroom and bath unfolded, it became clear that an expansion was the best approach to achieve the client’s vision of a more spacious suite. Fortunately, the adjustment came at a stage when revisions were still manageable and was integrated seamlessly, showing how thoughtful course corrections can strengthen a project rather than hinder it. Navigating Challenges With Precision The design development included multiple conceptual rounds, balancing preservation with subtle expansion. During construction, an existing post previously thought to be load-bearing turned out not to be. The structural engineer was able to pivot quickly, and both the post and the cross beam that had been intended to replace it could be omitted, allowing the original rhythm of the Eichler beam bays to be preserved. Sustainability was not just a checklist item, but a way to align the home with the client’s values of simplicity, efficiency, and long-term functionality. R-38 roof insulation reduced energy usage, solar panels with battery storage provided independence and resilience, and passive comfort strategies eliminated the need forenergy-intensive air conditioning. An electric vehicle charger and an on-demand hot water recirculation system (with call buttons as opposed to having constant circulation) add to the home’s long-term efficiency factors. Together, these moves created a home that is quieter, more comfortable, and better equipped for the future, qualities that supported the client’s pragmatic approach to design and living lightly. Details That Respect the Eichler DNA The remodel carries forward the Eichler’s original spirit while introducing new layers of modern livability. Originally, the house was approached along a deep, narrow walk, with the garage on one side and the house on the other, leaving the front door tucked far back within this chasm-like space. By pulling the entry forward, the design reshaped the arrival experience, creating a clearer threshold and a natural drop-off zone for bags, shoes, and keys. This shift also made room for a custom bench at the entry that extends seamlessly through the glass sidelight. The bench and drop-off zone now work together as a single, integrated sequence that supports everyday living while offering a tactile reminder of Eichler’s philosophy of connectedness. At the client’s request, Klopf reintroduced a classic Eichler gesture by extending the exterior siding into the entry and living room. The detail reinforces a sense of indoor/outdoor continuity while providing a subtle architectural surface that allows the client’s photography to take visual precedence. The signature concrete masonry wall at the front was reconstructed using blocks sourced to match the originals, now strengthened with rebar for seismic resilience while maintaining a private outdoor courtyard, visually extending the kitchen outward. A decorative trellis element, a detail borrowed from a neighboring Eichler, restores a familiar mid-century modern architectural motif. At the courtyard entry door, a custom etched glass sidelight with an ocean-themed design featuring kelp and jellyfish serves as a subtle homage to the client’s passion for deep-sea diving. Landscaping became an integral part of the overall transformation. The homeowner engaged landscape architect Randi Johnsen of Third Nature Studio to shape a series of calm, inviting outdoor rooms that read as a natural extension of the interiors. While technically outside of the core construction scope, the landscape design proved central to achieving a sense of completeness and connectedness across the property. Such whole-property considerations often emerge as design ideas take shape, underscoring the importance of flexibility in planning and budgeting, as well as close collaboration among the design team starting early in the process. The Value of Evolving Scope As with many custom residential projects, the scope evolved during the design process. What began as a targeted remodel grew to include a new/expanded primary suite, a rebuilt CMU patio wall for strength and longevity, and a solar panel array and battery storage for energy resilience and carbon-reduction. Each thoughtful decision represented a conscious investment in the home’s performance and character, rather than a cost overrun. The result was a project delivered on schedule, tailored precisely to the client’s lifestyle, and positioned to add long-term value both functionally and aesthetically. By embracing scope evolution as an opportunity rather than a challenge, and relying on good design paired with transparent communication, this remodel demonstrates how Eichler homes can be adapted for contemporary living without erasing their DNA. Klopf Architecture project team: John Klopf, AIA, and Klara Kevane, Elise Webb and Nicholas LaNasa. Contractor: Golden Cove Construction Landscape Design: Third Nature Studio Structural Engineer: Daniel Bastiao Design Photography: ©2025 Mariko Reed Year Completed: 2024 Location: Sunnyvale, CA

Inspiration for a kitchen remodel in Kansas City with raised-panel cabinets, granite countertops and stainless steel appliances

Arts and crafts bathroom photo in DC Metro

This full kitchen transformation focused on reworking the layout to create a more open, functional space tailored to everyday living and gathering. By removing a dividing wall, the footprint was completely reimagined, allowing for a spacious, central island that anchors the kitchen and provides ample room for seating, prep, and connection. To enhance natural light, a small existing window was replaced with a larger window above the sink, brightening the space and creating a more inviting atmosphere. Smart storage solutions were thoughtfully integrated throughout to improve organization and efficiency without compromising design. Layered ambient lighting adds warmth and depth, while carefully selected finishes bring character and cohesion to the space. The result is a kitchen that feels open, bright, and highly functional, designed to support the rhythm of daily life while making gathering effortless.

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional u-shaped ceramic tile and brown floor enclosed kitchen remodel in Dallas with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, beige cabinets, granite countertops, beige backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and multicolored countertops

What was once a galley kitchen and a modest sized dining room were combined into one family-friendly space in this North Attleboro home. The oversized island serves as a gathering space and is used for everday dining. The husband-chef incorporated a pot filler over the range and a European hood for just the right amount of function and style. Design and photo by Attleboro Kitchen and Bath.

Example of a classic kitchen design in Boston

Example of a transitional bedroom design in DC Metro

Enclosed dining room - large traditional brown floor and medium tone wood floor enclosed dining room idea in Boston with gray walls and no fireplace

Family room - transitional family room idea in DC Metro

Dining room - craftsman dining room idea in DC Metro

Cynthia Bassant
Trendy home design photo in New York

The owners of this beautiful St. Louis Park home are savvy designers, my longest-term client, and good friends. Years ago, they decided to make this house their “forever” home. They imagined how to expand their home over time to meet the needs of a growing family. My work on this home began in 2008. Our first project added a comfortable second-floor master suite with full bath. We also updated the exterior from dark brown to grey with white accents to enhance curb appeal. In 2012 we remodeled the basement with a big, warm family room and fireplace, updated laundry and utility room, and a custom wet bar. An open staircase invites traffic into the family room, while a child-proof gate to keep the 3-year-old twins safe. More In 2019 we added a two-story addition by extending the first floor into the backyard, creating a large, open kitchen/dining/family space. We reconfigured the existing main floor bath to a roomy ¾ bath with shower, and removed the existing tub. Two existing first-floor bedrooms were updated as well. The second floor was expanded toward the back yard, creating a larger master suite featuring two large 10′ X 10′ custom closets. The second floor was also expanded over a new garage to make room for another new bedroom with a 100 sq. ft. closet. All this transformed their home into a comfortable, full featured four-bedroom home. With all this construction over the years the backyard was in dire need of landscaping. And as before, the owners wanted to do this in phases. The fourth phase has just been completed, and the results are amazing. Like an arboretum, the backyard features mature trees with abundant shade for Minnesota’s hot and humid summers. The patio is perfect for barbecue entertaining. Naturally stained cedar fencing surrounds the yard, and a small utility shed looks mimics the home’s exterior. Notice the second-floor dormer and window on the front of the house, and the first-floor expansion on the back of the house (+ 25 feet) with windows looking into the family room and kitchen. Imagine the view of this backyard from the kitchen table, where owners often work from home. As plants grow over the years and it will only get better. The result: A forever home that grows with this family.