Search results for "Familiarization" in Home Design Ideas

While preparing to build their new ICF home in Arcadia, our clients hired EKB to create a modern kitchen that would reflect their lifestyle desires. We call this “The Edge”. This project was all about clean lines while maintaining interest and an inviting warmth in the home. Our custom cabinetry was created with flat panel doors and drawers with laminate finishes for an easy to maintain surface with a modern, crisp edge. Quartz from Dekton – Helena, evokes the feeling of clouds as it soars above the cooktop in a gradated design that was echoed in the hidden channel pulls on the cabinetry below. The Thermador appliances included paneled refrigerator and freezer flanking the induction cooktop and custom vent hood. (If you are not familiar with the benefits Induction offers, watch our video tutorial here: Induction.) Other design elements include our low-bar seating at the island which also incorporates a Galley Workstation Sink.
In the tall cabinet to the right of the ovens you will notice the open space below. This allows their robot vacuum to roam freely at the specified time while placing itself out of sight when not in use.
As you tour our portfolio, you will see a wide range of styles from Rustic to Ultra Modern. EKB Home does not have one particular style that we “do”. In fact, we strive to make each project unique so that each of our homeowners has something special. This one is just that!
For this project, our homeowners invited us into the process before their home was even in the framing stage, allowing us to carefully refine the kitchen and pantry layout long before the finishes were installed. Thoughtful planning during construction leads to a more functional, elevated, and beautifully finished home.

Completed in 2011 this 4 BR, 3 1/2 bath custom home is situated on a very tight urban infill lot in Northern, Virginia. Our clients were relocating to the D.C. area from New England and wanted to retain some of the New England vernacular they were familiar with in their new home. Due to heavy zoning restrictions, stylistic CCR's and a large program of almost 7000 sf, our design response is a modern take on a traditional hipped 4-square.
We intentionally kept the skin and form of the building simple in order to contain cost and allow for a higher level of interior finish. The main level employs our favorite Great Room scheme that merges cooking, eating and entertaining into one seamless space that flows onto an expansive deck overlooking the rear yard. The entry elevation welcomes guests with a traditional front porch and stone path that passes by a small rain garden. The basement accommodates a guest room, media room, exercise area, and full shop while the upper level orients 2 kid's bedrooms, a Jack-n-Jill bath and the master suite toward a territorial view of the rear yard. All of this program is housed beneath a hipped roof that minimizes the scale of the house while presenting a thoughtful appearance toward the street and neighbors.

Dan has been a successful general contractor for over 15 years, working almost exclusively on Capitol Hill. Extremely familiar with the unique challenges that can be faced with historic homes, he is our resident expert for all things construction. We rely on his expertise for the very best solutions and industry-leading building practices for our clients. He and Lisa have been married for over 20 years and he often fields the question..."are you Leroy"?
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The Session Sofa is in stock at 86.5" x 36" in Desert 7 Fabric with two 20" x 31.5" x 2.75" cushions. Removable cover included.
Session is the latest addition from Eilersen, who has once again created a sofa for the most discerning of audiences. The construction is supported by slim legs made of brushed stainless steel, which achieves the familiar ambition of completing the shape through functionality.
As with all of Eilersen’s sofas, it is designed, produced and assembled to withstand the wear that occurs naturally at a popular place for relaxation and rest. “With Session, we have created a sofa that is as beautiful to look at as it is comfortable to sit in. The consistency of the construction is an achievement from a design point of view, but the most important thing for me is that the seating comfort is optimal, as well as that it continues to be so,” says designer Jens Juul Eilersen.
Just add a personal touch
The sofa has a fixed back, and the two loose back cushions can be moved around at pleasure. The seat is Eilersen’s renowned down top, which with its core of foam - and swaddling of down and duck feathers - ensures comfort and lasting resilience over the course of time. The Session is a modular piece of furniture and can be upholstered in textile or leather. Therefore, the possibilities for enjoying a sofa with a personal touch are virtually infinite. This means that Eilersen’s customers can choose the colour and structure that precisely matches their own preferences and dreams.
Eilersen Session Sofa Quick Ship
“With Session, we have created a sofa that is as beautiful to look at as it is comfortable to sit in. The consistency of the construction is an achievement from a design point of view, but the most important thing for me is that the seating comfort is optimal, as well as that it continues to be so,” says designer Jens Juul Eilersen.

This beloved seaside home received a thoughtful, multi-phase expansion designed around one simple goal: more room for family. The project included a new attached 2-car garage with a finished suite above — featuring a kitchenette and in-unit laundry — plus a structural addition to the right side of the home that opened up the kitchen, dining, and living areas. Exterior decks were updated with modern materials, the landscaping was reimagined from the ground up, and the entire interior was remodeled and refreshed. The result is a home that feels both brand new and deeply familiar.

Game room - mid-sized 1960s open concept medium tone wood floor and brown floor game room idea in Los Angeles with beige walls, no fireplace and no tv

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

MONTECITO, CA / SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL
The Casa de Casey takes its place among the graceful and genteel tradition of Santa Barbara architecture. Located in a secreted area of Montecito, the house is tucked amidst a wooded glen along a riparian creek bed. Carefully sited at the top of a rolling green, the building provides a strong form in the natural landscape.
With its reference to historical precedent, the house is both undeniably familiar and tangibly rich. Site sensitivity and pure spatial relationships combine in new ways, showing that what’s old can be new again.
An entry courtyard concealed behind a pair of wooden doors of Moorish design begins the entry sequence. The courtyard, wrapped around an existing mature oak tree, creates an outdoor room, which establishes an interplay between interior and exterior spaces, a theme that recurs throughout the house.
An exercise in scale and proportion, the 5,000-square-foot residence is imbued with classic detail and richness found in the Spanish Colonial architecture characteristic of George Washington Smith and others. Interior spaces are created through pure and varied geometric volumes, and are elaborated by opened beamed ceilings, groin vaults and Moorish arches.

This client grew up in this 1950’s family home and has now become owner in his adult life. Designing and remodeling this childhood home that the client was very bonded and familiar with was a tall order. This modern twist of original mid-century style combined with an eclectic fusion of modern day materials and concepts fills the room with a powerful presence while maintaining its clean lined austerity and elegance. The kitchen was part of a grander complete home re-design and remodel.
A modern version of a mid-century His and Hers grand master bathroom was created to include all the amenities and nothing left behind! This bathroom has so much noticeable and hidden “POW” that commands its peaceful spa feeling with a lot of attitude. Maintaining ultra-clean lines yet delivering ample design interest at every detail, This bathroom is eclectically a one of a kind luxury statement.
The concept in the laundry room was to create a simple, easy to use and clean space with ample storage and a place removed from the central part of the home to house the necessity of the cats and their litter box needs. There was no need for glamour in the laundry room yet we were able to create a simple highly utilitarian space.
If there is one room in the home that requires frequent visitors to thoroughly enjoy with a huge element of surprise, it’s the powder room! This is a room where you know that eventually, every guest will visit. Knowing this, we created a bold statement with layers of intrigue that would leave ample room for fun conversation with your guests upon their prolonged exit. We kept the lights dim here for that intriguing experience of crafted elegance and created ambiance. The walls of peeling metallic rust are the welcoming gesture to a powder room experience of defiance and elegant mystical complexity.
It's a lucky house guest indeed who gets to stay in this newly remodeled home. This on-suite bathroom allows them their own space and privacy. Both Bedroom and Bathroom offer plenty of storage for an extended stay. Rift White Oak cabinets and sleek Silestone counters make a lovely combination in the bathroom while the bedroom showcases textured white cabinets with a dark walnut wrap.
Photo credit: Fred Donham of PhotographerLink

The Catskill Farms is proud to announce the sale of Barn 29 in Narrowsburg, NY – a pretty pairing of home and land in Sullivan County. This real estate offering featured 2,300 sq ft, 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, with a large open back deck. Familiar details include a wood burning fireplace, interesting and open floor plans, wide plank floors, fun plumbing and lighting fixtures throughout, and a kick your boots off mudroom. Industrial meets country in this beautiful home. Our homes provide genre-busting inspiration and comfort – life is cool in these superb specimens of Catskills real estate.

A masculine space for entertaining with familiar features of a “man cave” is rendered in highly sophisticated materials and details. Bleached walnut and weathered wood furniture add warmth, while blackened steel construction and spill-proof Marmoleum flooring speak to the darkness of the TV’s on the media wall. Cork flooring delineates a bar area from the rest of the room and is a reference to the beverage of choice. A new men’s room is conveniently located nearby.
Photo by David Duncan Livingston

This customer was referred to us by a local real estate agent who was familiar with our work and trusted us to deliver an amazing finished product.
Initially, the customer was interested in doing a simple face lift on their master bath; however, their focus shifted during the design phase and they decided to go with a complete master bath remodel.
To help with the design process, the customer came to us with a design they discovered on Houzz.com, the use of which we fully encourage for all of our customers because it serves as a great tool to help homeowners settle upon the perfect style and theme.
Once a final design was chosen, we created several rough draft estimates to fine-tune the scope of the project and began the process of getting the necessary materials on site, which plays a vital role in avoiding delays. Once all of the materials arrived, we began work on the three-week remodel.
In the end, this particular customer wanted an elegant and simple, yet functional and clean line master bathroom - something modern with a sense of traditional class. Upon completion, the finished product was not only stylish, but incredibly beautiful, leaving the customer extremely happy with our work.

One of our favorite projects to work on is re-creating an unfinished area into a beautiful space. We were honored to work on an audio video project in Chatham, NJ for a client who was creating a basement game room. This room includes a 70” LED TV, with an in ceiling surround speakers, a NuVo background music system, a DirecTV, AppleTV, Xbox and Xbox360 systems. This room is multi-functional, allowing for users to entertain guests for a party, or sit back with the family to relax for a movie.
Our industry is always changing, with new devices that can control virtually everything. All in one remote controls are an integral part of that. Universal Remote Control has been a leader in this industry, building quality products that are reliable, customizable and user friendly. This customer has for years utilized and trusted URC’s MX-3000 remote and requested it be used on the system. Here we have balanced new audio and video equipment with a familiar easy to use remote control that makes the experience for the client understandable and rewarding.
Happy clients, with customizable solutions, attention to detail and follow up are the name of the game, and we do it better than anyone. If you have an audio video project, give us a call. In Florida 239-243-0486, in New Jersey, 609-397-6838 or email us at info@newcomav.com. #newcomaudiovideo #lowvoltagewiring #backgroundmusic #audiovideocapecoral #audiovideonaples #audiovideobonitasprings

Megan Marie Imagery
Mountain style bathroom photo in Other with a trough sink, flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets and wood countertops
Mountain style bathroom photo in Other with a trough sink, flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets and wood countertops

Chris and Marna believe in Ohana Mau Loa which means “family forever.” As return clients, they knew LiLu could help them build a vacation home in Hawaii that would provide a desirable and comfortable gathering place for four adult children and their spouses and 11 grandchildren. A central common space at the heart of the home with separate living quarters surrounding it helps to accommodate everyone with both shared and personal living spaces. Each has its own personality that showcases playful references to Big Island life. And yet the overall design concept weaves together a love of world travel with traditional tastes. Built with mahogany wood that is a staple of island construction, treasured heirlooms and other personal keepsakes are the perfect complement to make this dream home feel welcoming and familiar. Fabrics, finishes and furnishings were selected with the sea in mind and to accommodate wet swim suits, bare feet, and sandy shoes.
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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.
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For more about LiLu Interiors, click here: https://www.liluinteriors.com/
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To learn more about this project, click here:
https://www.liluinteriors.com/blog/portfolio-items/ohana-mau-loa/

Ben is an experienced DIYer although he hadn’t ever done an IKEA kitchen design before.
“I wasn’t familiar with the product line, nor how to get started with the process. The design we came up with was largely our design, and we spent countless hours researching the door fronts, and of course decided on the VOXTORP doors in Walnut from IKEA. We find IKEA offers great quality for the money and we love the neat customization options.”
Ben does admit that he and his wife often second guessed their design decisions, however. Therefore, they recruited IKD to help them develop a layout that would work stylistically and functionally for their needs.
“Having an IKEA design expert from IKD provide additional insight was incredibly helpful for us to move forward though the process,” he says.”But as an avid DIYer I felt this was well within my realm to complete.”
And the design certainly was!
In fact, Ben says the installation process was seamless. He does mention that the plumbing and electrical was relocated to accommodate the IKEA kitchenette layout though.
“The overall experience of building the boxes was straight forward. Once you get the hang of doing one, they almost all go together about the same. It was a rewarding experience seeing everything come together,” he notes.

With its seamless layering of visually intriguing elements, the Reveal collection encourages the eye to linger just a bit longer and the hand to reach out and touch. Fresh yet familiar, these inspired designs are innately beautiful and grounded in a palette of raw materials curated with expert sophistication. Smooth wood planes finished in soft, dry finishes merge with exquisite woven textures for true dimensional appeal. Shapely silhouettes and relaxed modern forms are crafted from Ash solids and veneers while the expressive character of raffia elevates drawer faces and creates surface interest with tactile appeal. This whole-hearted embrace of natural elements weaves effortless elegance with modern organic design character.

COR-1200-CAR-AQU - Coral - Bamboo Pendant - 48 - Caramel (Side A) - Aqua (Side B)
Coral is based on one of the geometric polyhedra that have interested David since he was a boy. The intricate form is made from just one single component repeated 60 times. Originally designed purely as an experiment, it only became a light later when David tried to find a use for it by putting a bulb inside. This was a pivotal moment. What followed was a whole new direction in exploring lighting structures made from minimal shell-like skins which also act as patterned shadow- makers.
FLO-0800-NAT-ORA - Floral - Bamboo Pendant - 32 - Natural (Side A) - Orange (Side B)
Floral designed three years after Coral light, is based on a geometric polyhedra forms. The intricate form is made from just one single component repeated 60 times. Floral was designed to offer a softer more decorative offering alongside Coral which is more structured.
KOU-0750-NAT-YEL - Kōura - Bamboo Pendant - 30 - Natural (Side A) - Yellow (Side B)
Koura was inspired by woven baskets and also from the curled form of the New Zealand native fresh water shrimp, koura, which is its Maori name. Like our other lights Koura is available in a wide range of sizes from small and intimate to very large and dramatic
HIN-0900-NAT-NAT - Hīnaki - Bamboo Pendant - 36 - Natural
Hinaki (1995) could be classed as David’s first exploration into lighting. In 1995 he made a prototype based on fish traps which are called hinaki by Maori, though often the name is used specifically for an eel trap. They were made from woven vines, some in amazingly beautiful forms. He set it aside for many years, only to develop it later (2011) after Coral had gained international attention.
NIK-HALF-NAT-NAT - Nīkau - Bamboo Pendant - Half - Natural
Nikau is the only indigenous palm tree in New Zealand, named apparently because unlike the coconut palm familiar to Polynesians, it has no nuts. The fronds from the palm were traditionally used for thatching and weaving. It has a large bulb at the top of its trunk and its leaves overlap in the criss-cross patterns which inspired this light.
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