This high-end kitchen remodel is a masterclass in tailored luxury, pairing professional performance with a refined, tactile aesthetic. Custom-painted Shaker-style cabinets deliver a flawless, timeless profile that perfectly anchors the room, while top-grade 3cm leather-finished quartzite countertops and a matching full-height backsplash serve as the space's dramatic focal point. To preserve the continuous flow of the stone’s rich, organic veining, flush-mount invisible outlets are seamlessly integrated into the backsplash, eliminating traditional wall plates to leave a pure, uninterrupted canvas. This dedication to minimalist execution is balanced by elite, high-caliber utility, featuring premium integrated Sub-Zero refrigeration for world-class preservation and a top-tier Kohler sink that serves as an elegant, industrial-grade prep hub. By hiding the infrastructure and highlighting the raw beauty of premium materials, the design achieves a rare, museum-quality level of bespoke luxury.

Set on a narrow hillside lot overlooking the San Francisco Bay in Point Richmond, California, Bay Heirloom is a Mid-Century Modern family home restored, modernized and adapted for contemporary living. Oriented south-southwest toward the Marin Headlands, with views of the Golden Gate Bridge, the residence captures shifting Bay light throughout the day, from fog-muted mornings to vivid, glowing sunsets. The home was built by Karlyn Neel’s grandfather, the owner of the construction company Flo-Crete, one of the Bay Area’s early concrete pumping firms. Flo-Crete completed the foundation and structural concrete work, with family photographs documenting the original cinderblock walls and pours. The firm also contributed to major regional infrastructure projects, including the Transbay BART tube and Candlestick Park, situating the house within a broader legacy of Bay Area construction. Growing up, Neel spent considerable time in the home, developing an early appreciation for mid-century modern principles. Instead of parting with this family heirloom, she purchased the home from her grandfather’s estate. While her grandfather continued to live in the Point Richmond house, Neel purchased a Mid-Century Modern residence in Palm Desert. In contrast to the Bay Area’s cool temperatures, salt air, and persistent winds, the desert home is shaped by heat and sun and requires a different material response. A substantial renovation she led there emphasized thermal performance, filtered light, and restrained detailing. The experience later informed the restoration of her Bay Area family home. What began as a modest Mid-Century Modern update expanded when decades of exposure to marine conditions revealed leaks and significant structural and seismic deficiencies. Neel was determined to honor her grandfather’s perseverance and without hesitation pivoted to a much more intensive project. Addressing these challenges required close coordination between Neel, Klopf Architecture and Kasten Builders, with architectural restraint and construction precision guiding each intervention. Rather than alter the home’s defining features, the project focused on reinforcing the structure from within. Discreet beams were embedded along the rear facade and in an upstairs wall, strengthening the building while maximizing the wall of glass facing the Bay and opening the wall between the kitchen and the living space. These structural interventions allowed the space to open fully to the Bay without visual interruption, with the kitchen repositioned as the social and functional core of an open, continuous living space. The building envelope was updated using weather- and corrosion-resistant materials appropriate to the marine environment. The house unfolds vertically from the street, beginning with a modest garage level and workshop, with the main living spaces located below. Original slate flooring at the entry was preserved, along with select furnishings and artwork collected by Neel’s grandfather, anchoring the restored interior in its past. A restrained palette of black accents and pale, natural finishes replaces darker wood tones, reinforcing openness and calm. A naturally illuminated stair connects to the lowest level, where a former basement was transformed into a guest suite and family room opening onto a deck. From there, steps lead directly to a small concrete boat ramp at the water’s edge. Throughout the project, decisions were guided by continuity rather than transformation for its own sake. Lessons drawn from both desert and coastal climates informed a material strategy rooted in performance and restraint. Bay Heirloom stands as a measured evolution of a family house, structurally renewed and carefully modernized, grounded in the discipline and care that first shaped it. Klopf Architecture Project Team: John Klopf, AIA, Angela Todorova and Fernanda Bernardes Landscape Architect: Huettl Landscape Architecture General Contractor: Kasten Builders Photography: ©2025 Mariko Reed Year Completed: 2022 Location: Point Richmond, CA

Photo of a contemporary landscaping in Santa Barbara.

This prominent villa is at the heart of the St Johns Wood Conservation Area, but had been unoccupied for over two decades and was in need of a extensive refurbishment. Substantial excavations below and adjacent to the existing house, have created an large basement, filled with natural light from a series of roof lights and light wells. The basement provides the infrastructure required for a house of this size to function, including staff accommodation, plant and utility rooms, along with a large family suite overlooking a landscaped light well. This allows the upper fillers to be light filled and flexible, providing a number of reception rooms and ensuite bedrooms. Existing features have been retained and expanded upon where possible, using traditional craftsmanship with a modern twist. The reconfigured staircase and lift bring light down into the centre of the plan, and make this an accessible and practical family home.

Behind the LUXURY LINE brand, which combines luxury and comfort in furniture, there exists quality production dating back many years, unconditional customer satisfaction and corporate know-how. Thanks to its service infrastructure, LUXURY LINE delivers its most special designs to its customers all over the world without any problem. LUXURY LINE, opened in the heart of Eurasia, the meeting point of continents from Istanbul to the World, transports its rich collection of luxury products to dozens of countries from Europe to America, Middle East to Africa and Asia.

Minimalist exterior home photo in Other

Graybox is a 950 sq. ft. studio environment designed and built by NILES to redefine what a home-based creative space can be. The client wanted a light-filled, timeless studio that balanced aesthetic warmth with the precision and durability of a commercial facility. Our team handled the full scope—from architectural acoustics and mechanical planning to framing, treatments, electrical distribution, and final integration. The Control Room is a compact, golden-ratio mix suite engineered for accuracy, featuring a finely tuned treatment plan and a Barefoot monitor system. The Live Room gains surprising scale from its 16’ ceiling, delivering sonic depth and natural ambience ideal for full-band tracking, ensemble sessions, or detailed acoustic work. Expansive glass and natural light shape the visual character of the studio while maintaining controlled isolation and proper acoustic performance. This space was built to function as a dual-purpose creative hub for music recording and video production. The open layout supports multi-camera film shoots, quick-turn content capture, and flexible session flow. Engineers, producers, and artists can walk in, sit down, and work immediately thanks to intuitive wiring paths, plug-and-play audio infrastructure, and a layout designed for seamless movement between rooms. Graybox has become a go-to destination for both recording and visual content, hosting sessions and video work for Capitol Records, Meinl Cymbals, The Dove Awards, Gibson, and many others. The result is a studio that feels as inspiring as it sounds—purpose-built, timeless, and engineered for long-term creative use.

This Ravensdale, WA project showcases a thoughtfully designed outdoor living space that blends functionality, comfort, and craftsmanship. The new patio cover was custom-built to integrate seamlessly with the existing home, featuring a solid structural design, clean lines, and carefully matched roofing for a cohesive finish. Attention to detail played a key role throughout the build. From precise beam placement and soffit installation to coordinating gutter tie-ins with the existing drainage system, every element was planned to ensure both performance and aesthetics. The structure was adjusted on-site to accommodate existing features like the fireplace vent, maintaining proper clearances while preserving the overall design intent. The outdoor kitchen was framed with durable steel studs, providing a long-lasting foundation for future finishes and appliances. The layout allows for flexibility, with provisions for upgraded countertops, lighting, and appliance selections as the homeowner finalizes design choices. Adjacent to the kitchen, the custom outdoor fireplace creates a natural focal point, complete with a Douglas fir mantle that adds warmth and character, embracing the organic qualities of the material. Electrical upgrades enhance usability and ambiance, including integrated LED lighting, heater provisions for year-round comfort, and strategically placed outlets to support both the kitchen and entertainment needs. The system was designed with efficiency in mind, utilizing existing pathways and infrastructure wherever possible. Throughout the project, the team prioritized clear communication and adaptability—whether working around existing site conditions, coordinating multiple trades, or making real-time adjustments to deliver the best outcome. The result is a versatile and inviting outdoor space designed for everyday living and entertaining, built to stand the test of time.

This full-scale Brooklyn renovation transforms a cramped, closed-off kitchen into an open-concept living space by removing the dividing wall, soffit, and header. Highlighting a modern, high-end design, the layout features frameless two-tone cabinetry—combining matte black base units with vertical-grain light oak uppers—and a central waterfall island wrapped in Metro Stone White Calacutta quartz. The space is finished with 32"x32" Calacutta Aline porcelain floor tile, Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace paint, and a fully updated electrical and plumbing infrastructure. Complete with a smart appliance suite (including an LG Studio range, counter-depth fridge, and Sharp microwave drawer), custom pantry pull-outs, dedicated closet framing, and warm brass accent lighting, this project blends sleek contemporary aesthetics with maximum functional storage.

Located on a private ranch on the Central Coast of California, The North Coast Ranch is a contemporary agrarian compound with a rich family heritage. The compound includes a main house, guest house, and detached garage/workshop situated on what was once a hog farm. The agrarian setting and history of the property inspired much of the design and detailing. The agrarian influences are apparent in the exposed framing, cedar siding, barn form roof lines, and a tower element inspired by the existing concrete silos located on the property. To celebrate the family’s Swiss heritage, the exposed rafter tails are individually branded with the Swiss flag insignia. On the interior, a large open floor plan and 10’ sliding glass doors provide plenty of space for family gatherings and opportunities for indoor/outdoor living. Adding to the grandeur of the spaces, the kitchen and living room boast vaulted cathedral ceilings. The agrarian detailing continues throughout the house with the incorporation of warm materials and exposed structure. Concrete slats, originally a part of the old hog pen infrastructure, were reutilized to create a feature wall in the dining room.

Stunning views and the exceptional weather allowed us to conceive a pavilion like living area with sliding glass walls dissipating any barrier between interior and exterior and maximizing the livable area. Ceilings were carefully conceived to accentuate areas with increased volume and cove lighting, in addition to concealing building infrastructure systems seamlessly. https://www.makearch.com/residential-projects/sunset-plaza MAKE Architecture | www.makearch.com

Located on a private ranch on the Central Coast of California, The North Coast Ranch is a contemporary agrarian compound with a rich family heritage. The compound includes a main house, guest house, and detached garage/workshop situated on what was once a hog farm. The agrarian setting and history of the property inspired much of the design and detailing. The agrarian influences are apparent in the exposed framing, cedar siding, barn form roof lines, and a tower element inspired by the existing concrete silos located on the property. To celebrate the family’s Swiss heritage, the exposed rafter tails are individually branded with the Swiss flag insignia. On the interior, a large open floor plan and 10’ sliding glass doors provide plenty of space for family gatherings and opportunities for indoor/outdoor living. Adding to the grandeur of the spaces, the kitchen and living room boast vaulted cathedral ceilings. The agrarian detailing continues throughout the house with the incorporation of warm materials and exposed structure. Concrete slats, originally a part of the old hog pen infrastructure, were reutilized to create a feature wall in the dining room.

This is an example of a contemporary landscaping in Santa Barbara.

Virginia AIA Merit Award for Excellence in Residential Design | What appeared to be a simple, worn-out, early 20th century stucco cottage was to be modestly renovated as a weekend retreat. But when the contractor and architects began pulling away the interior wall finishes, they discovered a log cabin at its core (believed to date as far back as the 1780’s) and a newer addition (circa 1920’s) at the rear where the site slopes down. Initial plans were scrapped, and a new project was born that honors the original construction while accommodating new infrastructure and the clients’ modern tastes. A galley kitchen of concrete and reclaimed wood lines one wall of the walkout basement. The existing concrete slab was acid washed, a window seat added to look out on the lower terrace, the stair stripped of paint, and the minimalist line of the new stair rail extended to connect the basement to the two floors above.

In N Out Remodeling San Diego transformed this 475 sqft North Park house with a complete remodel. Featuring a sleek kitchen with grey cabinets and a waterfall island, a spa-like bathroom with elegant wall slabs, and new infrastructure, the home now boasts modern comfort, topped off with an outdoor deck and turf for versatile living.

Natural cork floorings acoustic properties make it a sensible choice for any home in which echoing presents a problem. Cork’s very infrastructure, millions of micro air cells, will provide and extra barrier against noise insulation. Thundering footsteps become muted with a layer of cork, while the material’s pliancy would be an added benefit should any tot happen to stumble. Go with natural cork flooring today. Natural cork flooring’s durability makes it a positive choice in high traffic settings like living rooms and kitchens. Its beauty will enhance any décor, but its resilience and many benefits will be what makes it a standout in your home. Small dents in natural cork flooring fill themselves in again and shallow scratches visually blend into the overall pattern, unlike marring on wood floors. Come check out the wide variety of designs and colors today https://www.icorkfloor.com/store/black-cork-flooring-jet-black-8mm/

Photo of a contemporary landscaping in Santa Barbara.

In some older Parisian apartment buildings, the bathroom may feature a unique and unusual element known as a "sanibroyeur." This is a type of macerating toilet that is designed to grind waste into a fine slurry that can be easily transported through the building's plumbing system. Sanibroyeurs are often used in older Parisian apartment buildings where the plumbing system is not designed to handle modern toilets, and they are a popular choice for those who seek a practical and convenient solution to their bathroom needs. Despite their unique design, sanibroyeurs continue to be a functional and essential element of many Parisian apartment bathrooms, embodying the city's commitment to finding practical solutions to the unique challenges posed by its architecture and infrastructure.

This newly constructed treated lumber walkway creates a safe, accessible transition to the public lake access stair system while improving pedestrian safety and usability. Finished with durable Westbury Tuscany aluminum railing, the upgraded access route is part of the City of Lake Waukomis easement improvement project, providing residents with a long-lasting, low-maintenance pathway designed for dependable public use.