Our client wanted to convert her craft room into a luxurious, private lounge that would isolate her from the noise and activity of her house. The 9 x 11 space needed to be conducive to relaxing, reading and watching television. Pineapple House mirrors an entire wall to expand the feeling in the room and help distribute the natural light. On that wall, they add a custom, shallow cabinet and house a flatscreen TV in the upper portion. Its lower portion looks like a fireplace, but it is not a working element -- only electronic candles provide illumination. Its purpose is to be an interesting and attractive focal point in the cozy space. @ Daniel Newcomb Photography

In this living room in a lake house renovation, Pineapple House replaces its old, low, painted trusses with stained, hickory trusses. They change the rooms' sheetrock walls into 10” nickel-joint wood walls and add transoms over the sliding glass doors to gain light and height. They cover the fireplace surround with stained wood and gain height by running the stained planks all the way up the 20’ shaft. On the left of fireplace, they add 8’ tall, double wooden doors and create a new entry into the master . On the right of fireplace, they balance the new master doors with a built-in audio-visual cabinet with wire mesh door fronts. Scott Moore Photography

Inspiration for a large coastal open concept light wood floor living room remodel in Boston with gray walls, a standard fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Photo: A Darling Felicity Photography © 2015 Houzz
Mid-sized 1960s formal and enclosed terra-cotta tile living room photo in Seattle with brown walls, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace and no tv

This 5 BR, 5.5 BA residence was conceived, built and decorated within six months. Designed for use by multiple parties during simultaneous vacations and/or golf retreats, it offers five master suites, all with king-size beds, plus double vanities in private baths. Fabrics used are highly durable, like indoor/outdoor fabrics and leather. Sliding glass doors in the primary gathering area stay open when the weather allows. A Bonisolli Photography

Photo: A Darling Felicity Photography © 2015 Houzz
Enclosed dining room - small 1950s enclosed dining room idea in Seattle

The glass entry in this new construction allows views from the front steps, through the house, to a waterfall feature in the back yard. Wood on walls, floors & ceilings (beams, doors, insets, etc.,) warms the cool, hard feel of steel/glass.

The terrace was an unfinished space with load-bearing columns in traffic areas. We add eight “faux” columns and beams to compliment and balance necessary existing ones. The new columns and beams hide structural necessities, and as shown with this bar, they help define different areas. This is needed so they help deliver the needed symmetry. The columns are wrapped in mitered, reclaimed wood and accented with steel collars around their crowns, thus becoming architectural elements.

Photo: A Darling Felicity Photography © 2015 Houzz
Patio - mid-sized 1950s courtyard brick patio idea in Seattle with no cover

Once a finishing school for girls this expansive Victorian had a kitchen in desperate need of updating. The new owners wanted something cheerful, that picked up on the details of the original home, and yet they wanted it to honor their more modern lifestyle.

We chose Island Stone glass tiles that give a subtle nod to the Capitola Beach vibe. We chose colors that perfectly match the Farrow & Ball Borrowed Light paint color. The Caesarstone countertops provide a durable, beautiful surface for the multitude of kitchen tasks. Kate Falconer Photography

Photo: A Darling Felicity Photography © 2015 Houzz
Example of a mid-sized 1960s formal and enclosed brick floor living room design in Seattle with brown walls, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace and no tv

CHALLENGE: -Owners want easy to maintain (white) kitchen -Must also serve as a workspace & accommodate three laptops & separate personal files -Existing kitchen has odd, angled wall of cabinets due to configuration of stairs in foyer SOLUTION: -Expand space by removing wall between kitchen & dining room -Relocate dining room into (rarely used) study -Remove columns between kitchen & new dining -Enlarge walk-in pantry by squaring off angles in stair wall -Make pantry entry a camouflaged, surprising feature by creating doors out of cabinetry -Add natural illumination with 6’ picture window -Make ceiling one plane -Add calculated runways of recessed LED lights on dimmers -Lighting leads to dynamic marble back splash behind range on back wall -New double islands & ceiling-high cabinetry quadruple previous counter & storage space -9’ island with seating includes three workstations -Seating island offers under counter electronics charging ports & three shelves of storage per workstation in cabinets directly in front of stools -Behind stools, lower cabinetry provides one drawer & two pull-out shelves per workstation -7’ prep island services 48” paneled refrigerator & 48” gas range & includes 2nd sink, 2nd dishwasher & 2nd trash/recycling station -Wine/beverage chiller located opposite island sink -Both sink spigots are touch-less & are fed by whole-house water filtration system -Independent non-leaching faucet delivers purified, double-pass reverse osmosis drinking water -Exhaust fan for gas range is hidden inside bridge of upper cabinets -Flat, easy-to-clean, custom, stainless-steel plate frames exhaust fan -New built-in window seat in bay window increases seating for informal dining while reducing floor space needed for table and chairs -New configuration allows unobstructed windows & French doors to flood space with natural light & enhances views -Open the screened porch doors to circulate fresh air throughout the home

Located steps from the waterways of Huntington Harbor, California, Phelps Residence is a remodel of a regional mid-century house, developed in the 1960s along with the rest of the Harbor neighborhood. The goal of the renovation was to honor the mid-century bones of the existing structure featuring full-height windows and open beam ceilings while infusing new life and detail via a ground-up renovation. The volume of the house is a two-story stucco façade structure with vertical cedar and black metal accents. The wall-to-wall, full-height sliding doors create an indoor-outdoor experience by extending the front yard fire pit and seating area through the living room to the backyard swimming pool and cabana beyond. The climate of the Harbor provides an ideal environment to open the space up to the yards year-round, thereby expanding the footprint of the house and allowing for an uninterrupted flow between rooms and indoor and outdoor areas. The entry foyer features a steel and terrazzo sculptural stair in a recessed bed of river rock. The lower level’s large-scale terrazzo tiles seamlessly join the living room, dining room, and kitchen. The upper level is reserved for the private bedrooms and a more intimate family room. Hardwood floors flow throughout while large-scale windows seek to capture the unique views offered from each room. Stack bond CMU garden walls in the front yard define the entry sequence, honoring the mid-century history of the residence.

Example of a country kitchen design in Denver

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

Mid-sized transitional enclosed medium tone wood floor and brown floor family room photo in New York with gray walls, a wall-mounted tv, no fireplace and a plaster fireplace

Stylish Productions
Inspiration for a coastal u-shaped multicolored floor, exposed beam and vaulted ceiling kitchen remodel in Baltimore with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, turquoise cabinets, laminate countertops, black appliances, no island and beige countertops

Loft
Example of a classic gender-neutral medium tone wood floor kids' room design in Detroit with blue walls