Inspiration for a patio remodel in Boston

Patio - mid-sized traditional backyard brick patio idea in Indianapolis

About the faucet: Extended Reach Pulldown Kitchen Faucet with Soap Dispenser and Air Switch Unique “PLP” positive lock holds spray head in place. Pre-positioned “Easy Pull” counterbalanced weight. Spray head extends 18” from spout. Lever selects spray from aerated stream. 1.75 gpm maximum flow rate with stream selected. Solid brass construction. Single lever control hot/cold ceramic disk valve cartridge. 3 handle caps included. Plain, and ceramic right hand or left hand operation indicated for hot and cold. Handle adjusts for clearance from backsplash. Braided connection hoses. Adjustable Teflon® “Friction Lock” aids handle feel and prevents sag. 360 degree swivel spout. Compatible with Reverse Osmosis. Includes Soap/Lotion Dispenser (4060) and Air Switch (4010)

Enclosed dining room - mid-sized transitional medium tone wood floor and brown floor enclosed dining room idea in Bridgeport with beige walls and no fireplace

Perched on a ridge at the edge of a wooded expanse, this mid-century modern home was designed to embrace both the intimate connection to the forest and the expansive valley views beyond. The site—carefully chosen from the family’s 52-acre homestead in western Wisconsin—balances privacy and openness, placing the home at the meeting point of dense trees and rolling fields. The approach winds through the forest, offering only glimpses of the structure. Upon arrival, the parking area is subtly positioned below the main level, reinforcing the sense of discovery. As one ascends the entry walk, the house unfolds, revealing a dramatic view through the two-story living space, anchored by a brick fireplace that extends from floor to ceiling. The asymmetrical roofline lifts upward, accentuating the openness and maximizing natural light. Inside, warm materials define the interiors. Wood ceilings and floors, complemented by concrete-look tile, establish a natural, grounded aesthetic. Black wood-clad beams provide scale and structure, subtly delineating spaces within the open-plan layout. A wood lattice screen partially conceals the dining area from the foyer, offering both openness and privacy. The kitchen—designed for gathering—features a large island, a dedicated baking station, and a breakfast counter that catches morning light while serving as a pass-through to the adjacent patio. Two textured glass sliding panels allow the kitchen to be closed off when needed. Just beyond, a hidden gem: the home’s personal Tiki room, complete with a vintage mug collection and a full bar. To the east, the central fireplace marks the transition to more intimate spaces. A wide stair, integrated with the hearth, leads to the lower level, while a library with a corner window creates a quiet retreat, perfect for reading and taking in the valley beyond. The primary suite extends off this wing, featuring a spa-like bath with a textured tile walk-in shower, a soaking tub positioned for dramatic views, and a private balcony overlooking the landscape. The lower level is designed for family gatherings and extended stays. A secondary fireplace, echoing the materials of the main level, anchors a cozy living area with an adjacent kitchenette. Additional bedrooms and baths provide ample accommodations, while a hidden playhouse under the stair and a dedicated bunk room add playful touches for visiting grandchildren. The home is a balance of openness and enclosure, modernity and warmth—designed not only as a retreat but as a multigenerational gathering place, deeply connected to the land.

AG Millworks Bi-Fold Doors create an open-air living space in this Spanish style home. Photo by Brandon Brodie
Example of a large tuscan formal and open concept medium tone wood floor living room design in Los Angeles with white walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace

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

Patio - mid-sized craftsman backyard concrete paver patio idea in Seattle with a fireplace and a roof extension

Elegant patio photo in Milwaukee

Inspiration for a basement remodel in Boston

Innovative base with a 'stacked' appearance. Discretion and elegance, this table will satisfy all those, who look for a simplistic dining table with an eye catching base crafted by passionate designers.

Previously a dark and dated kitchen our customers were embarking on a new extension for a fabulous new dining room and wanted a modern kitchen that would link the two spaces. Having browsed our showroom and been inspired by two key pieces, they asked for a contemporary new kitchen and for us to incorporate the architectural Falmec Prestige Cooker Hood and Neolith sintered stone worktop in the river-washed finish. We just love the fresh new feel to this space created through the use of high gloss, true handleless grey cabinetry combined with a pop of electric blue and open shelving. The open shelving, rather than a bank of wall units, really helps to frame the range and hood, but maintains a sense of space. Previously this kitchen had a peninsula design but we designed a statement island with breakfast bar to make use of this central area. Dressed with bar stools, pendant lighting and completed with the textured Neolith worktop, it is a stunning central feature for this family kitchen. The sink is another design feature all by itself, this is a Carron Phoenix stainless steel & black glass sink. We absolutely love it in this setting!

Inspiration for a transitional back porch remodel in Toronto with a fire pit, decking and a roof extension

This kitchen has a similar style to a galley kitchen, with the cabinetry on two sides of a rectangular space, however the cabinets on one side continue into an open eating area and there was sufficient space to also add an island (not a typical galley feature). With custom shaker-style cabinets, quartz countertops and an elongated hexagonal tile backsplash, this kitchen is beautiful and functional.

This kitchen has a similar style to a galley kitchen, with the cabinetry on two sides of a rectangular space, however the cabinets on one side continue into an open eating area and there was sufficient space to also add an island (not a typical galley feature). With custom shaker-style cabinets, quartz countertops and an elongated hexagonal tile backsplash, this kitchen is beautiful and functional.

Example of a minimalist dining room design in Other

Susan Owens
Inspiration for a timeless bathroom remodel in Los Angeles

Patios made of concrete squares can be chic, but ther spaces between the squares can present problems like tipsy tables, wobbly chairs, and even twisted ankles and trip hazards. This couple wanted the low maintenance requirements of artificial turf and the modern look of concrete squares, but they also wanted a safe space for their young children. So instead of the river rocks that were formally in the patio joints which created uneven levels and trip hazards, they asked if we could remove some squares and install turf between the remaining ones. We used a special technique of installing 2 inch firm turf pads in the joints first and then gluing the turf strips to the pads. This makes the turf level with the concrete squares and will keep the narrow turf strips from lifting, as they would if we had used the conventional turf fasteners here.

Walk-in shower - traditional ceramic tile and gray floor walk-in shower idea in Other with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, an undermount sink, granite countertops and a hinged shower door