Challenge: Create a functional and feminine home office that doubles as a guest room. Solution: Pull apple green and salmon tones and feminine, slightly Asian-inspired style from the client's heron painting, creating a warm, welcoming and well-appointed space for work and relaxation. Custom roman shades and warm lighting soften and illuminate, and the warm tones of the wood desk, file cabinet and credenza balance the space. Voila!

The homeowners reside in a beautiful historic colonial home built in 1850. While the rooms of this home reflect exquisite wood craftsmanship and stone work reminiscent of mid-1800s residential architecture, the homeowners felt that the kitchen was outdated and lacked natural lighting. The low ceiling and dim lighting confined the space and limited the functionality of the kitchen. The goal of this remodel was to increase the lighting and modernize the kitchen, while still retaining its historic charm. The kitchen remodel turned out to be great success and exceeded the homeowners’ expectations. However, renovating a historic home does come along with unique challenges and there were a few obstacles that needed to be resolved along the way.

This late 1800s family heirloom was transformed into a livable, modern home while honoring its architectural heritage. Outdated systems, tight layouts, and aged finishes were completely reworked to create open, functional spaces that support a contemporary lifestyle. The main floor now flows around a restored fireplace, while the reconfigured upstairs features a new primary suite with a walk-in closet, double vanity, and freestanding tub. Every original element, from the refinished doors and millwork to the matched trim, was restored with care. The result is a timeless blend of history, comfort, and craftsmanship designed for the next generation.

This late 1800s family heirloom was transformed into a livable, modern home while honoring its architectural heritage. Outdated systems, tight layouts, and aged finishes were completely reworked to create open, functional spaces that support a contemporary lifestyle. The main floor now flows around a restored fireplace, while the reconfigured upstairs features a new primary suite with a walk-in closet, double vanity, and freestanding tub. Every original element, from the refinished doors and millwork to the matched trim, was restored with care. The result is a timeless blend of history, comfort, and craftsmanship designed for the next generation.

This late 1800s family heirloom was transformed into a livable, modern home while honoring its architectural heritage. Outdated systems, tight layouts, and aged finishes were completely reworked to create open, functional spaces that support a contemporary lifestyle. The main floor now flows around a restored fireplace, while the reconfigured upstairs features a new primary suite with a walk-in closet, double vanity, and freestanding tub. Every original element, from the refinished doors and millwork to the matched trim, was restored with care. The result is a timeless blend of history, comfort, and craftsmanship designed for the next generation.

This kitchen renovation is set in a 100-year-old apartment with many original details. The design seeks to introduce a contemporary aesthetic into this space without presenting a jarring juxtaposition of finishes. The new kitchen is a study of volume and mass expressed through simple material choices. The materials used are commonly found in historic New England architecture: cherry cabinets, a cleft-face slate floor, and soapstone counters and sink. These materials are also known to rapidly transform as they age. The cherry cabinets darken with time, the slate surface is worn smooth with use, and the soapstone gradually assumes a patina sympathetic to that of the aged finishes within the apartment. Much of the original woodwork was sanded and refinished, and the plaster lathe walls patched and repainted. The finished kitchen is inviting, warm, and functional, and it renews this historic apartment as a desirable living space for the next 100 years. photo by Reverse Archiecture

This whole house remodel with a top floor addition was designed by and built for the architect owner. Existing historic trim details were preserved and extended throughout the house while modern amenities of the kitchen and bath afford the house great functionality. Built in 1912, the home was expanded to 3200 SF from the original 2400 SF with a third story addition containing a guest room artist studio and bathroom.

This large addition to this historic New Orleans Garden District home keeps a traditional feel with up to date function. In order to boost storage for this family of 6, cabinets were double stacked. With room to spare this area serves as the family's main meeting space.

Inspiration for an industrial hallway remodel in Grand Rapids

This kitchen renovation began with the challenge of reimagining an addition that had been DIYed onto the house 40 years ago. The previous homeowner’s efforts, while well-intentioned, fell short of today’s standards, both in terms of building codes and design choices. Materials like modern bamboo cabinetry and a choppy, poorly thought-out layout clashed with the timeless character of the home. The interior design didn’t reflect the 250-year-old Federal-style brick home’s essence, located in the heart of Historic Ellicott City. The current homeowners purchased this house because of its rich history and unique charm, and they wanted a kitchen that honored that legacy—not necessarily a period-perfect replica, but one infused with vintage character and a touch of the home’s original quirkiness. Homes from that era were rarely perfect—they were designed for function, not flawless aesthetics. With that in mind, the renovation focused on balancing modern convenience with historical charm. For example, a small, awkwardly placed window by the refrigerator offered a view of an outdoor wall. Instead of keeping it, we opted to close it up, creating a more cohesive design. The result is a space that feels like it belongs to the home’s history while incorporating the comfort and efficiency of a modern kitchen. Every detail was carefully considered to create harmony between the old and the new. Even down to the Tiffany lampshade that effortlessly binds all of the kitchen hues in one place. To accommodate the homeowners, who are on the shorter side, we designed countertops with their needs in mind. While we couldn’t lower the main counters without creating appliance-fitting issues—and custom appliances were cost-prohibitive—we prioritized usability wherever possible. For the countertops, they selected soapstone, a material that perfectly marries beauty and function. Its natural, timeworn appearance fits seamlessly with the home’s vintage aesthetic, and as a bonus, its antimicrobial properties make it a practical choice for a busy kitchen. The result is a space that feels like it has always been part of this historic home—authentic, functional, and full of character.

Hallway - industrial hallway idea in Grand Rapids

The custom fireplace in this room is the real showstopper. We were able to marry a contemporary gas fireplace insert with an antique coal fireplace cover to give this fireplace function and charm. We designed a custom fireplace surround to coordinate with the woodwork in the dining room and utilized a variety of handmade tile sizes and finishes to create a fireplace that feels like it has always been a part of this home. To give this room a bit more natural light we also added a custom window with a lovely diamond pattern.

This late 1800s family heirloom was transformed into a livable, modern home while honoring its architectural heritage. Outdated systems, tight layouts, and aged finishes were completely reworked to create open, functional spaces that support a contemporary lifestyle. The main floor now flows around a restored fireplace, while the reconfigured upstairs features a new primary suite with a walk-in closet, double vanity, and freestanding tub. Every original element, from the refinished doors and millwork to the matched trim, was restored with care. The result is a timeless blend of history, comfort, and craftsmanship designed for the next generation.

This late 1800s family heirloom was transformed into a livable, modern home while honoring its architectural heritage. Outdated systems, tight layouts, and aged finishes were completely reworked to create open, functional spaces that support a contemporary lifestyle. The main floor now flows around a restored fireplace, while the reconfigured upstairs features a new primary suite with a walk-in closet, double vanity, and freestanding tub. Every original element, from the refinished doors and millwork to the matched trim, was restored with care. The result is a timeless blend of history, comfort, and craftsmanship designed for the next generation.

This late 1800s family heirloom was transformed into a livable, modern home while honoring its architectural heritage. Outdated systems, tight layouts, and aged finishes were completely reworked to create open, functional spaces that support a contemporary lifestyle. The main floor now flows around a restored fireplace, while the reconfigured upstairs features a new primary suite with a walk-in closet, double vanity, and freestanding tub. Every original element, from the refinished doors and millwork to the matched trim, was restored with care. The result is a timeless blend of history, comfort, and craftsmanship designed for the next generation.

A tiny house in historic Old Town, Alexandria get a completely fresh update. While it may be small, it is very functional!
Large trendy formal and open concept carpeted and blue floor living room photo in DC Metro with blue walls

The client desired a kitchen that fit her modern day needs but complimented the historic character of her 1920's home. By using classic inspired finishes such as 3x6 subway and a quartz with a vein appearance of natural marble, the desire for a historic flair but with practical appeal was achieved. Its in the details! These small shelves are both functional and decorative adding a bit of period style to the space.

Klopf Architecture completely remodeled this once dark Eichler house in Palo Alto creating a more open, bright and functional family home. The reconfigured great room with new full height windows and sliding glass doors blends the indoors with the newly landscaped patio and seating areas outside. The former galley kitchen was relocated and was opened up to have clear sight lines through the great room and out to the patios and yard, including a large island and a beautiful walnut bar countertop with seating. An integrated small front addition was added allowing for a more spacious master bath and hall bath layouts. With the removal of the old brick fireplace, larger sliding glass doors and multiple skylights now flood the home with natural light. The goals were to work within the Eichler style while creating a more open, indoor-outdoor flow and functional spaces, as well as a more efficient building envelope including a well insulated roof, providing solutions that many Eichler homeowners appreciate. The original entryway lacked unique details; the clients desired a more gracious front approach. The historic Eichler color palette was used to create a modern updated front facade. Durable grey porcelain floor tiles unify the entire home, creating a continuous flow. They, along with white walls, provide a backdrop for the unique elements and materials to stand on their own, such as the brightly colored mosaic tiles, the walnut bar and furniture, and stained ceiling boards. A secondary living space was extended out to the patio with the addition of a bench and additional seating. This Single family Eichler 4 bedroom 2 bath remodel is located in the heart of the Silicon Valley. Klopf Architecture Project Team: John Klopf, Klara Kevane, and Ethan Taylor Contractor: Coast to Coast Construction Landscape Contractor: Discelli Structural Engineer: Brian Dotson Consulting Engineer Photography ©2018 Mariko Reed Location: Palo Alto, CA Year completed: 2017

Photos by Chris Haslett. The garage had mixed use. It functions as outdoor pool bathroom. Surf board storage in the back room. Golf cart parking and attic storage above for extra house hold items. The landscape ties in all the exterior elements such as pool, garage and outdoor living spaces. The "oyster" house is an indoor-outdoor living space with jeldwins version of a nano wall that opens the building up to full marsh views. The oyster house has a full kitchen and is used for weekend entertaining and a place to watch the game.