Inspired by their years in Japan and California and their Scandinavian heritage, we updated this 1938 home with a earthy palette and clean lines. Rift-cut white oak cabinetry, white quartz counters and a soft green tile backsplash are balanced with details that reference the home's history. Classic light fixtures soften the modern elements. We created a new arched opening to the living room and removed the trim around other doorways to enlarge them and mimic original arched openings. Removing an entry closet and breakfast nook opened up the overall footprint and allowed for a functional work zone that includes great counter space on either side of the range, when they had none before.

Clay walls stretch from the ground floor to the hall on the second becoming a focal point of the spaces. A metal staircase with a decorative branch instead of a handrail leads to the private part of the apartment. It consists of a master bedroom and two children’s rooms. A glass wall divides a master bedroom from a bathroom with a sunken bath and garden views.

A Thomas Hayes "Hannah" sofa, a Bostlund Lotte lamp with custom jute shade, an Adrian Pearsall side and coffee tables, a Finn Juhl japan sofa and two club chairs, all with custom pillows, vintage Italian pottery, a snake plant in a vintage teak stand, a tall dresser from The Window, a floor lamp with jute shade, and an uzbek rug.

The design of this remodel of a small two-level residence in Noe Valley reflects the owner's passion for Japanese architecture. Having decided to completely gut the interior partitions, we devised a better-arranged floor plan with traditional Japanese features, including a sunken floor pit for dining and a vocabulary of natural wood trim and casework. Vertical grain Douglas Fir takes the place of Hinoki wood traditionally used in Japan. Natural wood flooring, soft green granite and green glass backsplashes in the kitchen further develop the desired Zen aesthetic. A wall to wall window above the sunken bath/shower creates a connection to the outdoors. Privacy is provided through the use of switchable glass, which goes from opaque to clear with a flick of a switch. We used in-floor heating to eliminate the noise associated with forced-air systems.

This young couple spends part of the year in Japan and part of the year in the US. Their request was to fit a traditional Japanese bathroom into their tight space on a budget and create additional storage. The footprint remained the same on the vanity/toilet side of the room. In the place of the existing shower, we created a linen closet and in the place of the original built in tub we created a wet room with a shower area and a deep soaking tub.

This repeat client asked us to design two separate bathrooms for their growing sons, utilizing the land-locked space of two small jack and jill baths that shared one common shower. We had to get creative in our design and space planning in doing this and incorporated elements true to each sons personality and styles. Each bathroom is now a space that their sons can grow into and enjoy through their teen years.

Tatewaku, a natural stone hand cut mosaic backsplash shown in Calacatta Tia and polished Gascogne Blue, is part of the Silk Road Collection by Sara Baldwin for New Ravenna Mosaics.

The design of this remodel of a small two-level residence in Noe Valley reflects the owner's passion for Japanese architecture. Having decided to completely gut the interior partitions, we devised a better-arranged floor plan with traditional Japanese features, including a sunken floor pit for dining and a vocabulary of natural wood trim and casework. Vertical grain Douglas Fir takes the place of Hinoki wood traditionally used in Japan. Natural wood flooring, soft green granite and green glass backsplashes in the kitchen further develop the desired Zen aesthetic. A wall to wall window above the sunken bath/shower creates a connection to the outdoors. Privacy is provided through the use of switchable glass, which goes from opaque to clear with a flick of a switch. We used in-floor heating to eliminate the noise associated with forced-air systems.

Project Overview: The project was designed by Studio Lark and built by Patrick Moore Construction using our Shou Sugi Ban – Gendai. The entire house was renewed and a room addition built, with proper consideration of site and materials. Photos courtesy of Matt Marcinkowski. Product: Gendai 1×6 Shiplap Finish: Amber Application: Residential – Exterior SF: 700SF Designer: Studio Lark Builder: Patrick Moore Construction Date: December 2016 Location: Kirkwood, MO

The design of this remodel of a small two-level residence in Noe Valley reflects the owner's passion for Japanese architecture. Having decided to completely gut the interior partitions, we devised a better-arranged floor plan with traditional Japanese features, including a sunken floor pit for dining and a vocabulary of natural wood trim and casework. Vertical grain Douglas Fir takes the place of Hinoki wood traditionally used in Japan. Natural wood flooring, soft green granite and green glass backsplashes in the kitchen further develop the desired Zen aesthetic. A wall to wall window above the sunken bath/shower creates a connection to the outdoors. Privacy is provided through the use of switchable glass, which goes from opaque to clear with a flick of a switch. We used in-floor heating to eliminate the noise associated with forced-air systems.

The design of this remodel of a small two-level residence in Noe Valley reflects the owner's passion for Japanese architecture. Having decided to completely gut the interior partitions, we devised a better-arranged floor plan with traditional Japanese features, including a sunken floor pit for dining and a vocabulary of natural wood trim and casework. Vertical grain Douglas Fir takes the place of Hinoki wood traditionally used in Japan. Natural wood flooring, soft green granite and green glass backsplashes in the kitchen further develop the desired Zen aesthetic. A wall to wall window above the sunken bath/shower creates a connection to the outdoors. Privacy is provided through the use of switchable glass, which goes from opaque to clear with a flick of a switch. We used in-floor heating to eliminate the noise associated with forced-air systems.

The design of this remodel of a small two-level residence in Noe Valley reflects the owner's passion for Japanese architecture. Having decided to completely gut the interior partitions, we devised a better-arranged floor plan with traditional Japanese features, including a sunken floor pit for dining and a vocabulary of natural wood trim and casework. Vertical grain Douglas Fir takes the place of Hinoki wood traditionally used in Japan. Natural wood flooring, soft green granite and green glass backsplashes in the kitchen further develop the desired Zen aesthetic. A wall to wall window above the sunken bath/shower creates a connection to the outdoors. Privacy is provided through the use of switchable glass, which goes from opaque to clear with a flick of a switch. We used in-floor heating to eliminate the noise associated with forced-air systems.

Project Overview: The project was designed by Studio Lark and built by Patrick Moore Construction using our Shou Sugi Ban – Gendai. The entire house was renewed and a room addition built, with proper consideration of site and materials. Photos courtesy of Matt Marcinkowski. Product: Gendai 1×6 Shiplap Finish: Amber Application: Residential – Exterior SF: 700SF Designer: Studio Lark Builder: Patrick Moore Construction Date: December 2016 Location: Kirkwood, MO

When we drove out to Mukilteo for our initial consultation, we immediately fell in love with this house. With its tall ceilings, eclectic mix of wood, glass and steel, and gorgeous view of the Puget Sound, we quickly nicknamed this project "The Mukilteo Gem". Our client, a cook and baker, did not like her existing kitchen. The main points of issue were short runs of available counter tops, lack of storage and shortage of light. So, we were called in to implement some big, bold ideas into a small footprint kitchen with big potential. We completely changed the layout of the room by creating a tall, built-in storage wall and a continuous u-shape counter top. Early in the project, we took inventory of every item our clients wanted to store in the kitchen and ensured that every spoon, gadget, or bowl would have a dedicated "home" in their new kitchen. The finishes were meticulously selected to ensure continuity throughout the house. We also played with the color scheme to achieve a bold yet natural feel.This kitchen is a prime example of how color can be used to both make a statement and project peace and balance simultaneously. While busy at work on our client's kitchen improvement, we also updated the entry and gave the homeowner a modern laundry room with triple the storage space they originally had. End result: ecstatic clients and a very happy design team. That's what we call a big success! John Granen.

We wanted the guest bedroom to be relaxing for our guests. Calming blue was used on the walls, white linen drapes, textured charcoal bedding with yellow accents. A little black to give a little depth to the room. The fan above the bed is from Japan and the yellow chair is a family vintage piece we wanted to incorporate. The side tables we made out of 2x6 planks and steel pipe for the tripod legs.

Photo: Kayla Stark © 2015 Houzz
Trendy living room photo in New Orleans

Wabi Sabi aesthetics is the core of a design concept. The interior shows respect for the old elements. Important points in décor are Serhii’s collection of ceramics and antique home furnishings. Interesting pieces borrowed from the past – 17th-century table in the master bedroom, ancient lavas and wooden vessels which were used for the laundry. Portals between the rooms are decorated with processed trunks of trees on the pristine millstones.

Wabi Sabi aesthetics is the core of a design concept. The interior shows respect for the old elements. Important points in décor are Serhii’s collection of ceramics and antique home furnishings. Interesting pieces borrowed from the past – 17th-century table in the master bedroom, ancient lavas and wooden vessels which were used for the laundry. Portals between the rooms are decorated with processed trunks of trees on the pristine millstones.

We wanted the guest bedroom to be relaxing for our guests. Calming blue was used on the walls, white linen drapes, textured charcoal bedding with yellow accents. A little black to give a little depth to the room. The fan above the bed is from Japan and the yellow chair is a family vintage piece we wanted to incorporate. The side tables we made out of 2x6 planks and steel pipe for the tripod legs.