The clients were deeply attached to their existing home and its prime location, but they needed more space. The goal was to expand while preserving the character of the historical house and enhancing the ocean views. This extensive renovation modernized the space, improved its flow, and seamlessly integrated a new addition. To boost energy efficiency, we upgraded insulation throughout and replaced all windows. Inside, we refreshed the interiors with white oak ceiling beams that added warmth and delineated spaces within the open floor plan. The main stair was transformed into a striking modern feature, featuring a steel center stringer and glass rails. This design choice maintains transparency, keeping the kitchen connected to the other areas on the first floor while elevating the overall aesthetic.

If you have a tiled shower area in your home, it’s very likely you’ve experienced problems with the grout becoming excessively dirty and ridden with displeasing black spots of mould. The underlying issue is due to inadequate ventilation which can be a real problem in modern insulated houses and occasionally the grout can get so imbued with contamination that the problem needs to be resolved professionally. In the case of this Ceramic tiled shower area, located at a property in Galgate, Lancashire, mould had turned the grout black and had got into the sealant strip around the base. The property owner had tried using the run-of-the-mill cleaning products you can buy in superstores, but they simply couldn’t get the job done. So, she contacted me to see what could be done. At Tile Doctor, we come across the problem of mouldy shower tiles very often. Excess soaps and shampoos – many of which contain chemicals that harmful to the grout – can quickly build-up if not removed, causing mould and soap scum to emerge quickly, and before you know it, you have a problem like this one. Thankfully, with the right strength product and cleaning methods, mould can be removed quite easily. The cleaning product used here was Tile Doctor Mould Away, which does what it says on the bottle and can quickly remove mould and black spots from grout and silicone. I applied Mould Away to the grout and surrounding Ceramic tiles and left it to dwell for a short period, before starting to clean the affected areas carefully using soft nail brushes and a small amount of water. Sometimes it is necessary to repeat this process several times to achieve the best possible results, but in this case two attempts was all it took to get the grout looking like new once again. Following the cleaning, the area was rinsed thoroughly with water, before bring dried off quickly with a heat gun on a low setting. I then sealed the grout with a single coat of Tile Doctor Wall Grout Sealer, which is a water-based sealer designed to protect against water, oil and acid-based contaminants, and stop them from spoiling the appearance of the grout. It also provides a transparent finish that does not diminish the original colouring of the grout. To add the finishing touches, I polished off the Ceramic tiles as these were already fully glazed and did not require any extra sealer. The before and after photos are a testament to how significantly the condition and appearance of the grout was quickly improved and needless to say, the customer was very satisfied with the result. Russell Taylor Lancashire Tile Doctor

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

Our doors have several superior features: - Single sheet of metal is used in construction. No welded seams are best as these can significantly weaken the structural integrity of the entranceway. Our doors are also more resilient to mechanic damage, such as sledgehammer strikes. - The advantage of a single, non-welded door is that it reduces interior internal condensation. Over time, condensation can negatively affect the door mechanisms. - Stiffening Ribs: These non-visible details add to our door's security. - Quality insulation serves to reduce unwanted external noise, as well as protect against extreme heat, and severe cold. - 3D Hinges: Hacking are often carried out at the side of a door's hinges. A better feature is utilizing hinges with ball bearings and installed anti-cuts. Introducing our Modern Exterior Entrance Door, crafted with a single sheet of metal for exceptional durability and longevity. With its sleek Gray Graphite color and modern design, this door is sure to add a touch of sophistication to any home's exterior. The Modern Exterior Entrance Door features a Aluminum frame and threshold, ensuring that it's strong and secure enough to withstand harsh weather conditions. Part of our exclusive Deux collection, the Modern Exterior Entrance Door is designed to complement a variety of architectural styles. As a trusted exterior door manufacturer, we are committed to delivering high-quality doors that meet your specific needs. Our Modern Exterior Entrance Door is the perfect choice for those who want a durable and stylish entrance door for their home's exterior. Whether you're looking to improve the security and durability of your entrance door or add a touch of modern sophistication to your home, our Modern Exterior Entrance Door from the Deux collection is an excellent choice. At our company, we take pride in offering top-quality products and exceptional customer service. Order now and experience the unmatched quality and beauty of our Modern Exterior Entrance Door from the Deux collection. Model - 0729 Deux Color - Graphite Gray Door thickness - 3 13/16" Frame thickness - 3 13/16" Exterior design - vertical insert of Stainless Steel. Coating of the door - enamel. Hardware included: - Aluminum frame 4" thick - Dimensions of the door including frame is 74" x 82". - Aluminum threshold. - Plate-type, primary mortise lock for armoured type of aluminum doors, locked by 3 key turns, doors are captured in 3 places. The lock has replaceable core and 5 keys. - Heavy-duty Cylinder. - 3D hinges Wala - Turnknob for lock. - Armor plate Securemme for the lock. - 2 Bar Handles.

This home is a complete remodel with high performance upgrades to greatly improve energy efficiency and comfort, including Roxul insulation and rainscreen. Highly refined final design details, such as a variety of custom tile and tilework and finish carpentry. Exterior siding is Alaskan Yellow Cedar. Design by Greg Robinson Architects Interior Design by Angela Prater Design Photography by C9 Photography

Renovations to this 2-storey triplex turn the building into a "bi-generational" residence housing a large two-level unit for a family and an upstairs apartment for a parent. The layout is redefined to create an open-concept ground floor whose different spaces are articulated by the exposed structure and the central openwork staircase. Apart from the important space occupied by the open area, including living room, kitchen and dining room, the redevelopment allows the improvement of the entrance hall, the integration of a TV room, a bathroom and a bathroom. 'laundry. A large bay window, new windows pierced in the back wall and the skylight above the staircase bring a lot of natural light to the center of the space. The former 5 ½ upstairs is refurbished to provide 3 bedrooms with plenty of storage, an office and a large bathroom. The project also incorporates sustainable strategies such as exterior wall insulation, installation of a geothermal heating system, heat recovery ventilator, water-saving appliances and a white roof. . This project was carried out in collaboration with Calculatec engineers and with the contractor Les Entreprises G3F.

Country House Living Room: New Tile Floor – To better conduct the heat, we replaced the old wood floors with porcelain tile. New radiators, insulation, ductwork, and enclosing the basement staircase improved the function of their HVAC. Fireplace Makeover – To create a new focal point for the living room, we installed a new fire box, new mantle, and floor to ceiling stone. The goal was to draw the eye up to the vaulted beamed ceiling. Open Concept Layout – The wall between the kitchen and living room was removed to connect the two spaces. We added new cabinetry along the wall with a tall bookcase. Since they didn’t use their formal dining room, a small dining table was added to the living room. New Railing & Stairs – The staircase to the kitchen area was tricky because we needed to find a style that would make it feel airy. We did a glass enclosure with a simple metal railing and moved the staircase to the center of the room to allow room for the piano.

This home is a complete remodel with high performance upgrades to greatly improve energy efficiency and comfort, including Roxul insulation and rainscreen. Highly refined final design details, such as a variety of custom tile and tilework and finish carpentry. Exterior siding is Alaskan Yellow Cedar. Design by Greg Robinson Architects Interior Design by Angela Prater Design Photography by C9 Photography

This house had a large water damage and black mold in the bathroom and kitchen area for years and no one took care of it. When we first came in we called a remediation company to remove the black mold and to keep the place safe for the owner and her children. After remediation process was done we start complete demolition process to the kitchen, bathroom, and floors around the house. we rewired the whole house and upgraded the panel box to 200amp. installed R38 insulation in the attic. replaced the AC and upgraded to 3.5 tons. Replaced the entire floors with laminate floors. open up the wall between the living room and the kitchen, creating open space. painting the interior house. installing new kitchen cabinets and counter top. installing appliances. Remodel the bathroom completely. Remodel the front yard and installing artificial grass and river stones. painting the front and side walls of the house. replacing the roof completely with cool roof asphalt shingles.

Building materials are one of the primary sources of indoor air contaminants that negatively affect the health of our living spaces The EcoCraft team has meticulously selected building materials that are healthy, recyclable, and free of harmful contaminants thereby improving the health of our homes. Consider also that consistent temperatures between floors, rooms, and surfaces plays a critical role in how humans experience true comfort. Our advanced airtight continuously insulated building envelopes eliminate drafts and cold surface to ensure consistent air and surface temperatures. Individually zoned floors and spaces provide occupant control for added flexibility and individualized temperature settings. Our extra thick walls and energy star windows reduce sound transfer between the interior and exterior spaces, while our state of the art mechanical systems run quietly to provide an experience you can feel, but can barely hear.

Blanchard Mountain Farm, a small certified organic vegetable farm, sits in an idyllic location; where the Chuckanut Mountains come down to meet the Samish river basin. The owners found and fell in love with the land, knew it was the right place to start their farm, but realized the existing farmhouse was riddled with water damage, poor energy efficiency, and ill-conceived additions. Our remodel team focused their efforts on returning the farmhouse to its craftsman roots, while addressing the structure’s issues, salvaging building materials, and upgrading the home’s performance. Despite removing the roof and taking the entire home down to the studs, we were able to preserve the original fir floors and repurpose much of the original roof framing as rustic wainscoting and paneling. The indoor air quality and heating efficiency were vastly improved with the additions of a heat recovery ventilator and ductless heat pump. The building envelope was upgraded with focused air-sealing, new insulation, and the installation of a ventilation cavity behind the cedar siding. All of these details work together to create an efficient, highly durable home that preserves all the charms a century old farmhouse. Design by Deborah Todd Building Design Services Photography by C9 Photography

Bedroom photo in Los Angeles

The bi-fold door and window combination in the master bedroom offers stunning ocean views and an abundance of natural light. AG Millworks Bi-fold doors also provide excellent insulation, reducing weather and sound disruptions.