Search results for "Ingenuity" in Home Design Ideas

Staircase - mid-sized rustic carpeted straight cable railing staircase idea in Denver with carpeted risers

Woodwerd
Inspiration for a large contemporary open concept family room remodel in Austin with gray walls
Inspiration for a large contemporary open concept family room remodel in Austin with gray walls
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Alcove shower - mid-sized coastal 3/4 gray tile and ceramic tile alcove shower idea in Boston with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, a two-piece toilet, beige walls, an undermount sink, quartzite countertops and a hinged shower door

Client wanted to watch TV outside on his patio but did not have a good location to mount the TV. We came up with a mobile TV cart that he could store in the garage and roll out when he wanted to watch the game. He’s a big OSU fan, so we created something to celebrate his team.
It’s 4’ x 2’, made out of rough-cut cedar and incorporates two hidden speakers and a custom hidden subwoofer. This thing rocks the backyard! A few amenities include pull out shelves, a TV that folds down when not in use and a small built-in cooler for those all-important mixed beverages.

Materials and interior paint selected by Cherry City Interiors & Design
Freestanding bathtub - mid-sized contemporary master beige tile and ceramic tile porcelain tile freestanding bathtub idea in Portland with shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, white walls, a drop-in sink and tile countertops
Freestanding bathtub - mid-sized contemporary master beige tile and ceramic tile porcelain tile freestanding bathtub idea in Portland with shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, white walls, a drop-in sink and tile countertops

Add multiple niches to maximize the storage space in the shower!
Bathroom - mid-sized transitional master gray tile and pebble tile bathroom idea in Houston
Bathroom - mid-sized transitional master gray tile and pebble tile bathroom idea in Houston

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

Josiah Zukowski
Staircase - mid-sized modern carpeted straight carpeted staircase idea in Portland with white walls and carpeted risers
Staircase - mid-sized modern carpeted straight carpeted staircase idea in Portland with white walls and carpeted risers

2 recessed shelves finished off with glas and chrome hardware
Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless master beige tile and porcelain tile porcelain tile drop-in bathtub remodel in Orange County
Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless master beige tile and porcelain tile porcelain tile drop-in bathtub remodel in Orange County

Kyle Bryant - Speeds Photo
Example of a mountain style staircase design in Portland
Example of a mountain style staircase design in Portland

ADA Shower Caddy & Grab Bar.
Inspiration for a small contemporary master beige tile and porcelain tile walk-in shower remodel in Kansas City
Inspiration for a small contemporary master beige tile and porcelain tile walk-in shower remodel in Kansas City

DECO Window Fashions
Sheer pleated custom made drapes, ceiling mount metal rod.
Trendy bedroom photo in Austin
Trendy bedroom photo in Austin

This masculine and modern kitchen design is clean and inviting due to the warm light wooden details combined with crisp white cabinets and metal pendant lighting.

This tub end wall has the addition of a shower slider mounted through the glass to save the expense of moving plumbing (taps are contained within the short pony wall below. This solution for a tiny kids bathroom brightened up the space considerably while still allowing easy access to the built in tub.

Here is a walk in glass bock shower with Icescapes glass blocks. Not only do glass block showers save space, they save time and money on maintenance as well. To see our many designs, please check out: https://easternglassblock.com/ or call 800-635-1226 for more information!

Doug Wieringa Photography
Example of a small asian kitchen design in Seattle with beige walls
Example of a small asian kitchen design in Seattle with beige walls

Example of a mid-sized minimalist 3/4 marble floor and gray floor doorless shower design in Boston with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, gray walls, an integrated sink, quartz countertops, a hinged shower door and white countertops

This was a full bathroom renovation. It was a small bath so I installed a pocket door to maximize the area. The door and trim were finished with a mahogany stain and high gloss polyurethane. Clear glass shower doors were installed. A glass shelf was installed in the shower area. This was a 7 day renovation.
Jay-Quin Contracting Inc.
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