Second-Story Addition in Yardley by BMR Belmax Remodeling BMR Belmax Remodeling recently completed a second-story addition above an existing garage in Yardley, creating a beautiful and functional new space with a gable dormer. The project included: Designing and constructing a new second-story addition with walls, subflooring, and a gable dormer. Installing support posts and beams in the garage to ensure the addition’s stability. Extending the home’s HVAC system and adding a new mini-split unit for optimal comfort. Adding four new windows, new stairs from the garage to the second floor, recessed lighting, and electrical outlets. Completing the exterior with siding, gutters, and shingles that seamlessly match the existing home. The homeowner was extremely pleased with the results, enjoying a smoothly executed project that enhances their home’s space and style.

Custom in-law suite addition featuring an open-concept living area, kitchenette, luxury vinyl plank flooring, and 9-foot ceilings throughout. The space was designed to provide comfortable, independent living with modern finishes, energy-efficient mini-split climate control, and abundant natural light. This addition creates a functional and stylish extension of the home while maintaining comfort and privacy for guests or family members.

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

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This Denver garage conversion expanded the home’s living space with newly finished drywall, fresh paint and updated electrical for lighting and a mini-split system. White walls provide a clean backdrop for the exposed wood beams and freestanding stove, creating a comfortable seating area with a warm, contemporary feel.

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Designed + Built + Curated by Steven Allen Designs, LLC. ***Specializing in making your home a work of ART*** New Construction outside of Garden Oaks that highlights Innovative Designs/Patterns/Textures + Concrete Countertops + Vintage Furnishings + Custom Italian Laminated Cabinets + Polished Concrete Flooring + Executive Birch Bedroom with Chevron Pattern + Mitsubishi MiniSplits + Multi-Sliding Exterior Door + Large Deck + Designer Fixtures

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This sunroom addition was designed and built to create additional conditioned space for the owner's children to play in. The original screened-in porch and concrete slab were completely removed while the roof was kept in place and structurally supported during construction. A new slab was poured underneath, and Greenleaf craftsmen framed new walls and rebuilt the roof deck over a new flat roof membrane.Complete walls of Marvin casement windows create a light-filled and thermally tight space. Minimal composite trim details create a clean frame and panel design around the windows, and a new mini-split heating and cooling system keep the space comfortable in all seasons.

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