Today’s investment landscape in California features a surge in transforming single-family lots into vibrant multi-family residences, facilitated by recent SB9 and ADU laws. This project exemplifies how a modest 6,750-square-foot lot can accommodate a 1,500-square-foot primary home alongside a 2,500-square-foot duplex, seamlessly integrating design, functionality, and neighborhood aesthetics. The primary residence underwent a meticulous interior transformation, evolving from a 3-bedroom, 1.5-bath layout into a spacious 4-bedroom, 2-bath home. Strategic reconfigurations centered around creating an expansive great room—an open-concept space adorned with vaulted ceilings—where the kitchen, dining, and living areas converge into a magnificent communal zone. Exterior updates further distinguish the property. The front and side yards are enclosed with fencing and privacy hedges, linked by concrete pathways that enhance outdoor functionality while compensating for backyard space lost during renovations. The exterior façade was refreshed with darker tones, deliberately contrasting with the duplex to emphasize architectural separation. Designed to preserve the suburban charm, the duplex visually mimics a single-family home from the street. Its facade creates an illusion of a two-story residence, maintaining harmony within the neighborhood fabric. The main unit, developed under SB9 guidelines, features three bedrooms and two bathrooms, with a luxurious parents’ suite situated upstairs. Downstairs, two bedrooms share a full bath, creating a balanced family-oriented layout. The duplex’s interior boasts 9-foot ceilings throughout, elevating the sense of space and openness. The design thoughtfully places the kitchen at the front, inviting guests into the home, while stairs on the right lead to the private upstairs bedroom suite. The ADU offers a two bedroom and two & half baths. the unit is accessible via a private side entrance with a dedicated walkway. Its layout includes a ground-floor living room, a galley kitchen, and a discreet powder room beneath the stairs, designed to contain guest traffic and maintain privacy upstairs. The upstairs bedrooms each feature luxurious bathrooms with expansive showers, adding an element of modern elegance. Both units enjoy thoughtfully landscaped outdoor spaces—private patios, backyard areas, and gated front yards—creating welcoming environments for residents and visitors alike. This project exemplifies innovative urban infill solutions, blending architectural elegance with legal compliance and community harmony—an inspiring blueprint for the future of residential development in California.

Klopf Architecture’s client, a family of four with young children, wanted to update their recently purchased home to meet their growing needs across generations. It was essential to maintain the mid-century modern style throughout the project but most importantly, they wanted more natural light brought into the dark kitchen and cramped bathrooms while creating a smoother connection between the kitchen, dining and family room. The kitchen was expanded into the dining area, using part of the original kitchen area as a butler's pantry. With the main kitchen brought out into an open space with new larger windows and two skylights the space became light, open, and airy. Custom cabinetry from Henrybuilt throughout the kitchen and butler's pantry brought functionality to the space. Removing the wall between the kitchen and dining room, and widening the opening from the dining room to the living room created a more open and natural flow between the spaces. New redwood siding was installed in the entry foyer to match the original siding in the family room so it felt original to the house and consistent between the spaces. Oak flooring was installed throughout the house enhancing the movement between the new kitchen and adjacent areas. The two original bathrooms felt dark and cramped so they were expanded and also feature larger windows, modern fixtures and new Heath tile throughout. Custom vanities also from Henrybuilt bring a unified look and feel from the kitchen into the new bathrooms. Designs included plans for a future in-law unit to accommodate the needs of an older generation. The house is much brighter, feels more unified with wider open site lines that provide the family with a better transition and seamless connection between spaces. This mid-century modern remodel is a 2,743 sf, 4 bedroom/3 bath home located in Lafayette, CA. Klopf Architecture Project Team: John Klopf and Angela Todorova Contractor: Don Larwood Structural Engineer: Sezen & Moon Structural Engineering, Inc. Landscape Designer: n/a Photography ©2018 Scott Maddern Location: Lafayette, CA Year completed: 2018 Link to photos: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/aqxfwk7wdot9jja/AADWuIcsHHE-AGPfq13u5htda?dl=0

Some of our goals and solutions were obvious in this Timeless Style Renovation, other challenges required loads of plotting and planning. Our client inherited his Marlton, New Jersey childhood home and for years chose to keep it ‘as is’ out of respect for his family and because (truth) it was going to be a significant investment — the entire house needed to be refreshed! Flooring, fireplace, removal of walls, windows enlarged, many pocket doors added, all bathrooms redesigned, electric/ gas not to code (from 1965), a massive 300lb safe to incorporate/ tuck away somewhere, planning for a future potential main level in-law suite — the list was very long! Inspiration was easy: they had won awards for their stunning koi pond and landscaping, and they love to entertain. Getting these high powered professionals who were used to running divisions of huge corporations to hand over the reins … NOT so easy. Thankfully, they now can’t stop singing our praises! See their other amazing rooms here.

Jessica Delaney
Example of a classic light wood floor living room design in Boston with white walls, a standard fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

The studio was built on a tight budget. This bathroom was outfitted with an ikea sink and cabinet, Toto toilet and custom shower. The money in this bathroom was spent in the custom tiled shower rather than the vanity. A vanity is more easily replaced in the future with a more expensive fixture. Bray Hayden Photography and H2D Architecture + Design

Example of a classic exterior home design in Denver

Spacious deck for taking in the clean air! Feel like you are in the middle of the wilderness while just outside your front door! Fir and larch decking feels like it was grown from the trees that create your canopy.

Inspiration for a small craftsman open concept medium tone wood floor living room remodel in San Francisco with no fireplace and white walls

The laundry room is the hub of this renovation, with traffic converging from the kitchen, family room, exterior door, the two bedroom guest suite, and guest bath. We allowed a spacious area to accommodate this, plus laundry tasks, a pantry, and future wheelchair maneuverability. The client keeps her large collection of vintage china, crystal, and serving pieces for entertaining in the convenient white IKEA cabinetry drawers. We tucked the stacked washer and dryer into an alcove so it is not viewed from the family room or kitchen. The leather finish granite countertop looks like marble and provides folding and display space. The Versailles pattern travertine floor was matched to the existing from the adjacent kitchen.

Family oriented farmhouse with board and batten siding, shaker style cabinetry, brick accents, and hardwood floors. Separate entrance from garage leading to a functional, one-bedroom in-law suite.

Some of our goals and solutions were obvious in this Timeless Style Renovation, other challenges required loads of plotting and planning. Our client inherited his Marlton, New Jersey childhood home and for years chose to keep it ‘as is’ out of respect for his family and because (truth) it was going to be a significant investment — the entire house needed to be refreshed! Flooring, fireplace, removal of walls, windows enlarged, many pocket doors added, all bathrooms redesigned, electric/ gas not to code (from 1965), a massive 300lb safe to incorporate/ tuck away somewhere, planning for a future potential main level in-law suite — the list was very long! Inspiration was easy: they had won awards for their stunning koi pond and landscaping, and they love to entertain. Getting these high powered professionals who were used to running divisions of huge corporations to hand over the reins … NOT so easy. Thankfully, they now can’t stop singing our praises! See their other amazing rooms here.

Photography by Jenn Verrier
Walk-in shower - small modern 3/4 multicolored tile and porcelain tile pebble tile floor walk-in shower idea in DC Metro with a drop-in sink, wood countertops, a wall-mount toilet and gray walls

A door on the back of the carriage house provides a convenient connection with the main house and also provides an entry for the loft space above, planned to accommodate a future studio apartment.

Pure luxury. Hotel Collection's 600 Thread Count Egyptian Cotton Bedding Collection is a best-selling basic that features layers of white/ivory for a clean, sophisticated look. Irresistible textures provide a 5-star feel. Color: white/ivory Available in Full, Queen, King, & California King Available exclusively at Macy's and macys.com Have a question? Ask us at www.macys.com/contactus Getting married? Create a registry at www.macys.com/registry Let us help! Macy’s By Appointment can style your bedroom or bathroom for FREE! Learn more at www.macys.com/mba

Example of a large trendy brown two-story mixed siding house exterior design in Portland with a hip roof and a shingle roof

Klopf Architecture’s client, a family of four with young children, wanted to update their recently purchased home to meet their growing needs across generations. It was essential to maintain the mid-century modern style throughout the project but most importantly, they wanted more natural light brought into the dark kitchen and cramped bathrooms while creating a smoother connection between the kitchen, dining and family room. The kitchen was expanded into the dining area, using part of the original kitchen area as a butler's pantry. With the main kitchen brought out into an open space with new larger windows and two skylights the space became light, open, and airy. Custom cabinetry from Henrybuilt throughout the kitchen and butler's pantry brought functionality to the space. Removing the wall between the kitchen and dining room, and widening the opening from the dining room to the living room created a more open and natural flow between the spaces. New redwood siding was installed in the entry foyer to match the original siding in the family room so it felt original to the house and consistent between the spaces. Oak flooring was installed throughout the house enhancing the movement between the new kitchen and adjacent areas. The two original bathrooms felt dark and cramped so they were expanded and also feature larger windows, modern fixtures and new Heath tile throughout. Custom vanities also from Henrybuilt bring a unified look and feel from the kitchen into the new bathrooms. Designs included plans for a future in-law unit to accommodate the needs of an older generation. The house is much brighter, feels more unified with wider open site lines that provide the family with a better transition and seamless connection between spaces. This mid-century modern remodel is a 2,743 sf, 4 bedroom/3 bath home located in Lafayette, CA. Klopf Architecture Project Team: John Klopf and Angela Todorova Contractor: Don Larwood Structural Engineer: Sezen & Moon Structural Engineering, Inc. Landscape Designer: n/a Photography ©2018 Scott Maddern Location: Lafayette, CA Year completed: 2018 Link to photos: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/aqxfwk7wdot9jja/AADWuIcsHHE-AGPfq13u5htda?dl=0

Judy Proctor
Country exterior home photo in New York

Architectural Designs Exclusive House Plan 25607GE Keeping Room with Juliette balcony This luxury home has the master down and two beds up - plus a great in-law or extended guest suite over the 4 car garage. Just over 5,200 of living space. And that doesn't include the master suite sleeping porch, back deck, screened porch with grill deck and front porch. The plan is waiting to be built again and is available in sets, PDF and CAD. See all the details and let us know where YOU want to build. Plan Link: http://bit.ly/25607ge

This ADA compliant bath is both pretty and functional. The open vanity will allow for future wheelchair use. An open niche with shelves provides easy access for frequently used items, while a nearby cabinet offers storage space to keep TP, towels, and other necessities close at hand. The 7' x 42" roll-in shower is barrier free, and spacious enough to accommodate a caretaker tending to an elderly bather. Shampoo shelves made by the tile installer are incorporated into the liner trim tiles. The herringbone mosaic tiles on the shower border and floor update the traditional elements of the rest of the bath, as does the leather finish countertop. Budget savers included purchasing the tile and prefab countertops at a store close-out sale, and using white IKEA cabinets throughout. Using a hand-held shower on a bracket eliminated the need for a second stationary showerhead and diverter, saving on plumbing costs, as well.