Ground Handling - Photos & Ideas

Every line in this kitchen was considered. The walnut-wrapped island grounds the space in natural texture, echoed overhead by a dramatic slatted wood ceiling inset that brings intimacy to the open plan. Clean white cabinetry keeps things light, while black accents — handles, faucet, pot filler — sharpen the palette. Clerestory windows pull daylight across honey-toned oak floors, and fully integrated appliances preserve the calm, uncluttered feel. Proof that a kitchen can be both a workhorse and a work of art. Built by White Wolf Homes, Vancouver Island.

Wandsworth Project

Make My House Home

A complete renovation of the ground floor of a victorian property in Wandsworth south london. We opened up the back of the hous eto create one big open plan space moving the kitchen and bringing in large sliding doors to connect the outside with inside. A large shaker style kitchen with modern handles and traditional glass light fittings.

Olof Dahlstrand Remodel by Klopf

Klopf Architecture

Nestled in the hills of Orinda, California, this 1951 residence is one of only seven extant homes, now known as “The Magnificent Seven”, designed by architect Olof Dahlstrand, a protégé of Frank Lloyd Wright. With its low-slung rooflines, natural materials, and deep integration with the sloping landscape, the home is a pristine example of mid-century modern design inspired by Wright’s organic principles. Over the years, prior homeowners have emphasized preservation, ensuring that the house remained relatively untouched. Each owner has respected the original architecture and stayed true to Dahlstrand’s intent. When a family of five—two college-aged sons and a middle school-aged daughter—acquired the property, they were captivated by its history, legacy of care, and architectural significance. While they appreciated Dahlstrand’s original vision, they also recognized the need to adapt the home for contemporary living while preserving its design integrity. The remodel was conceived as a thoughtful response to the past—an effort to bring the house into the 21st century without compromising its soul. The primary mandate was to maintain architectural continuity while improving the functionality, comfort, and livability for a modern family. The design team—architects and contractor alike—worked with a shared reverence for the original architecture, allowing that mindset to guide even the most technical or pragmatic decisions. A key objective was to increase natural light in the kitchen—a departure from Wrightian principles of enclosed, intimate cooking spaces—while maintaining the home’s architectural language. The kitchen was reconfigured to foster a stronger connection to adjacent living spaces while retaining the underlying concept of spatial separation. One of the most transformative architectural changes was the removal of a ridge beam that was originally planned to remain visible through the kitchen. During construction, the team collaborated on a better solution: a wide-flanged steel beam concealed within the roof envelope. This subtle move preserved the clean lines and ceiling continuity, a modern update carried out with utmost respect for the existing framework. The home’s original powder room, previously accessible only through the kitchen, was relocated for better flow and privacy. A new powder room was carved out of former kitchen cabinetry—a narrow, interior space that could have felt dark and enclosed. To avoid this, the design extended the line of original transom windows into the new powder room and added a skylight above the vanity. The result is a bright and airy space that feels consistent with the rest of the home. Other updates included the installation of new solid-core interior doors with veneers carefully matched to the original mahogany, enhancing the continuity of the interiors. Even smaller decisions, such as placing the door knobs at 42 inches high, mirrored the original proportions. Every choice reflected a shared belief between the architect, contractor, and client: that new work should serve the integrity of the old. The home’s extensive interior redwood millwork and paneling was meticulously restored. Where new materials were introduced—such as the replacement redwood soffit paneling—the contractor took pains to find finish nails that matched the original, rather than using modern equivalents. This level of craftsmanship and collaboration defined the project. It extended even to the detailing of a blind door to the new powder room, which had to disappear into the existing redwood board-and-batten wall. It was a team effort: the owner found a suitable handle, the architects devised the custom in-swing mechanism, and the contractor executed it so the door aligned precisely with the battens. Throughout, the homeowners were deeply engaged in the design process. One, a meticulous design enthusiast, focused on aesthetic integrity and historic detail. The other brought a practical and function-driven perspective, ensuring that new fixtures and materials would be durable and require minimal maintenance. While the home’s location posed no major site challenges, sustainability was a key concern. The team upgraded the roof insulation, installed solar panels with battery storage, and added ductless mini-split cooling systems. Lighting was another area where modern technology was woven into a historic framework: new square LED fixtures echo the original custom perimeter soffit lights, maintaining the design language while offering advanced performance. A planned expansion of a bedroom into suite with a bathroom had to be shelved due to budget constraints and the high cost of below-grade foundation work. Still, the team focused their efforts on making the most of the existing footprint, resolving constraints through design ingenuity rather than adding square footage. This renovation represents a collaborative achievement in preserving and evolving a historically significant home. Every decision was shaped by a shared ethos among clients, architects, and contractor: to maintain the home’s architectural soul while updating it for contemporary life. The result is a timeless modernist residence that continues Olof Dahlstrand’s legacy, remaining grounded in nature, craftsmanship, and human-scale design. Klopf Architecture Team: John Klopf, AIA, Klara Kevane, Fernanda Bernardes Interior Architectural Design: Klopf Architecture Structural Engineer: Daniel Bastiao Contractor: Don Larwood, Larwood Construction Photography: Mariko Reed Year Completed: 2022

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Slocum

lavish

For this whole-home interior design project in Raleigh, NC, our team at Lavish refreshed the main living spaces with a collected, layered look that feels timeless rather than trendy. The living room design centers on a gallery wall of the clients' own art and travel finds, thoughtfully arranged above a supple camel leather sectional and grounded by vintage-inspired lumbar pillows and a concrete-look side table. In the formal dining room, textural botanical wallpaper wraps the vaulted ceiling, while a sculptural cascading chandelier, nailhead-trimmed host chairs, and layered drapery create an elegant setting for entertaining. A guest bedroom design pairs a brass scalloped fan-light fixture with soft blue florals and fluted casegoods for a serene, tailored retreat, and a shagreen console with brass legs and patterned poufs turns a simple hallway into a styled moment. As a full-service interior design firm in Raleigh, NC, Lavish handles everything from space planning and custom window treatments to art curation and final styling — so every room, from the living room to the dining room to the bedrooms, feels intentional and beautifully finished.

City Vibes Kitchen Design

Essence Designs

Welcome to our City Vibes Kitchen Design Project, a captivating blend of urban sophistication and practicality. Featuring two-toned white and walnut shaker cabinets, Montauz quartz countertop, teal subway tile in a chevron pattern, brushed gold handles, white pendants with gold leaf detail, and a matte black faucet. Grounding the space are larger floor tiles in a natural tone.

Columbine Bath, Laundry, and Stairs

D&G Construction

A contemporary style bathroom with a white tile backsplash and two sinks with black metallic faucets. The countertop is white with dark streaks and the cabinets are white with black metallic handles. Above the sinks are two soft edged rectangular mirrors with black metallic borders. The light fixtures consist of three bulbs each with slightly frosted glass covers and a brown metallic finish. The walls are painted gray with black metallic towel hangers on either side of the mirrors. In the bath and toilette room the bath/shower has a light gray tile backsplash that changes to a dark gray tile backsplash as it moves up. The shower head, curtain rod, and knobs are a black metallic. The walls are a calm but dark gray with white trim. The ground is a very dark gray tile that stretches from the sinks into the shower/bath room.

'Rockstar Kitchen on the Rideau'

Design First Interiors

Our client bought an older expansive bungalow in Manotick with a stunning waterfront backyard. This beautiful setting became the foundation for our open concept Kitchen and Family Room Design. Besides the usual great functional requirements, the client wanted a ‘Rockstar’ visual kitchen to complement an eclectic collection of Mid-Century Furniture and objects. The reclaimed Northern Wide plank Oak hardwood (colour: Mill creek, collection: Artifax), floor provides a rustic and comfortable grounding to the crisp modernism of the kitchen. The floor is especially practical as the inevitable scratches from the family dog can be easily corrected by the client. The Kitchen features a ‘Bridge’ design of walnut cabinetry surrounding the pro-style fridge and freezer. Other appliances are clustered with demi-tall pantries and form an interesting linear definition that suits the ‘Long’ Room of Kitchen and Family Room. A walnut Eating Bar and walnut interior for the dish pantry complete the triad of walnut in the Kitchen. High gloss white cabinets featuring handle-free design are topped with gray quartz. The stunning Noble Grey light marble backsplash is installed with a Horizontal grain to complement the linear definition. The Family Room features an offset linear fireplace that is balanced with a substantial walnut entertainment unit. The awkward and unmoveable doorway was incorporated into the design to create the effect of a unit that is much larger than it actually is. The walnut wood matches the Kitchen but is installed with a horizontal grain, repeating the character of the kitchen backsplash.