This circa-1960's bath was water damaged and neglected for decades. To create a spa-lie, organic feel, we added a solar tube for gorgeous natural light, natural limestone and marble tiles, floating shelves and a glass enclosure. The aged brass fixtures bring the glam.

As you can see, this house has been deserted and neglected for quite a few years. It’s run down condition makes it look like the perfect setting for a haunted house nestled out in the woods near the Delaware River in PA. This house is in DANGER and is a good victim for a developer to plow it down and build a McMansion.

The purpose of this project was to renovate and reconfigure a 1920’s nine-bedroom home, making changes tailored to the new owner’s family and needs. Our clients could see the potential in this spacious home and purchased it intending to renovate and upgrade prior to moving in. Although the kitchen had been modernized, it was small. The rest of the home echoed its once elegant stature, but it felt dated, neglected, and designed for a different time. Working closely with the clients, we developed a design and scope of work that would expand the kitchen, update all of the 4.5 vintage bathrooms, completely transform the layout of the master suite, and eliminate 2 bedrooms on the third floor, which had been left untouched since its original days functioning as servants’ quarters, and reimagine it as a game and multimedia space. Finally, while the façade of the home was nice, it failed to effectively communicate the same message as the interior of the home. The new owners were looking for a more stately daily greeting. We approached the project as a historic renovation – striving to enhance and modernize the home while paying homage to its rich history. Instagram: @redhousedesignbuild

Sometimes the best renovations begin with an unexpected opportunity. After a small water leak damaged the lower portion of the basement walls, this homeowner decided it was the perfect time to transform an uninspiring entry into a space she actually enjoys walking through every day. By adding classic wainscoting and fresh finishes, what was once a neglected basement entrance is now warm, welcoming, and full of character. It's proof that even the most overlooked areas of a home deserve thoughtful design and quality craftsmanship. Every space has the potential to be beautiful—you just need the right vision to bring it to life.

Dunyon emerges as a modern, functional structure, its industrial aesthetic defined by a prominent gable roof and symmetrical façades. The building’s utilitarian purpose is reflected in its clean lines and durable materials, with large windows punctuating the metallic siding to allow ample natural light into the interior. Around the structure, a spacious parking area confirms its commercial intent, equipped with accessibility features. The exterior, though primarily functional, doesn’t neglect aesthetics, as evidenced by the strategic outdoor lighting that promises a welcoming presence in the evening hours.

Brick archway created to carry through arch design and create breakfast nook.Kitchen with Kraftmaid cabinetry, perimeter has cream cabinets, warm chestnut island cabinets, arches connect spans between cabinets to mimic the leaded glass in hutch. Decorative piece on backsplash carries the curves and arches in the limestone piece just above counters. Top to bottom renovation on long neglected and vacated house...

Great retreat area for friends and family. Custom putting green, motorized screens and misting system. There is no excuse to spend three seasons of the year in your once neglected backyard.

VICTORIAN LAKEFRONT BEFORE & AFTER This neglected Victorian on the waterfront in Hudson was a perfect example of a diamond in the rough. But its new owners recognized its potential and (lucky for us) we were hired to redesign the main floor. Everything was replaced, from the uneven and mismatched floor boards, to the dilapidated, rickety old staircase. Not to mention, new windows, sexy new hot water heaters imported from England., a new kitchen and main floor bathroom. The entire house was painted Moonshine by Benjamin Moore - a watery blue-grey colour which works perfectly with all the wood and white trim. The kitchen was gutted and reconfigured to optimize the fantastic water views allowing the owners to relax at their new island (with soapstone counters). The beautiful blue backsplash tiles make this traditional white kitchen anything but boring. And we painted the adjacent dining room ceiling the same deep blue colour to add impact. Our clients had travelled all over the world for work before returning to Montreal, and their art collection, geological artifacts, wool rugs and assortment of wood furniture (collected in Chile, Mexico and Arizona to name a few places) give this updated Victorian a lived-in, eclectic look. We added some unexpected lighting with a nod to the Victorian age throughout and the back room, once the exterior porch, is now a the perfect retreat to relax, hold book club meetings or just enjoy the views from the elegant new furniture or the newly reupholstered family heirloom bench.

Located in Church Hill, Richmond’s oldest neighborhood, this very early 1900s Victorian had tons of historical details, but the house itself had been neglected (badly!). The home had two major renovation periods – one in 1950’s, and then again in the 1980s’s, which covered over or disrupted the original aesthetics of the house (think open ductwork, framing and drywall obscuring the beautiful mantels and moldings, and the hot water heater taking up valuable kitchen space). Our Piperbear team had to “undo” much before we could tackle the restoration of the historical features, while at the same time modernizing the layout.

•Architects: Aires Mateus •Location: Lisbon, Portugal •Architect: Manuel Aires Mateus •Years: 2006-20011 •Photos by: Ricardo Oliveira Alves •Stone floor: Ancient Surface A succession of everyday spaces occupied the lower floor of this restored 18th century castle on the hillside. The existing estate illustrating a period clouded by historic neglect. The restoration plan for this castle house focused on increasing its spatial value, its open space architecture and re-positioning of its windows. The garden made it possible to enhance the depth of the view over the rooftops and the Baixa river. An existing addition was rebuilt to house to conduct more private and entertainment functions. The unexpected discovery of an old and buried wellhead and cistern in the center of the house was a pleasant surprise to the architect and owners.

A family of passionate athletes and sports aficionados embarked on a remarkable endeavor alongside our team and Studio M Merge. Their vision? To breathe new life into their outdated mid-century modern home and neglected pool, resulting in the dramatic “Sports Enthusiasts’ Hideaway.” The transformative journey focused on opening the interior spaces out toward the beautiful gardens and amenities. The renewed house features expanded open-plan living areas, a new bedroom, and a reimagined primary bath. An attached ADU added a sports bar and a flexible office space that can double as a private guest bedroom. The outdoor spaces were brought to life with the addition of expansive decks, inviting patios, a horseshoe pit, a basketball half-court, refreshing plunge pools, and a lush sports lawn. A pool house artfully frames the view from the pool to the neighboring golf course. This family of five finds themselves immersed in their expanded home and experiential outdoor hideaway. Every element has been thoughtfully designed to cater to their favorite activities, providing a peaceful haven where they can fully indulge their shared passion for sports. Klopf Architecture Project Team: John Klopf, AIA, Angela Todorova, Geoff Campen
Interior Architectural Design: Klopf Architecture
Landscape Architect: Studio M Merge
Contractor: Flegels Construction
Landscape Contractor: Frank & Grossman (phase 1), Garden Group (phase 2)
Photography: ©2013-2023 Mariko Reed
Year Completed: 2012 through 2020 Location: Los Gatos, CA

The couple that purchased this home, moved to Omaha from California. They loved the history of the neighborhood. It had been neglected for years, until someone came through before them and decided to flip it (and not very well). They had multiple spaces in the house they wished to renovate, while maintaining the original integrity of the home. Their first goal was to convert an upstairs bathroom, bedroom, and hall space to a large master bath with two walk-in closets and large shower. We then changed the pitch of the outdoor porch roof of the back addition to accommodate a hot tub above, and connect an entrance to their newly renovated upstairs master bath/suite. We also had additional cabinetry made for a serving bar in the kitchen that was previously an empty space. The last space was a full hall bath that we took completely down to the studs and re-designed/built. I would like to credit Bill Bolte Construction for taking my designs and the ideas laid out by the homeowners and turning them into an incredible reality.

From Dark and Dated to Dreamy Den: A Basement Transformation This project wasn't just a renovation; it was a complete rebirth. Our construction crew transformed a neglected basement into a stunning and functional living space. Imagine a dark, dated area. Now, picture a bright, inviting space brimming with possibility. That's the magic we delivered. We began by taking the basement down to the studs. This "gut job" ensured a clean slate for the transformation to come. Once the demolition was complete, we addressed any underlying structural concerns and ensured the space was ready for its new life. Next came the foundation for all the beauty: a brand new subfloor. This ensured a level and stable platform for the showstopping element – the flooring. We worked closely with the homeowner to select the perfect flooring for their needs. Walls are more than just barriers; they define a space. We constructed new walls throughout the basement, creating a clean and finished look. This could have involved dividing the area into distinct rooms, including a dedicated laundry room, bathroom and a large open living and play area for a more airy and expansive feel. A basement shouldn't feel like a dungeon. To add volume and a touch of sophistication, we installed a new drop ceiling. This not only provides a finished look but can also incorporate recessed lighting, adding another layer of ambiance. Of course, no renovation is complete without the perfect finishing touch: paint. We transformed the raw walls with a fresh coat of paint, bringing the homeowner's chosen color palette to life. The end result? A basement that's no longer an afterthought but a cherished part of the home. Whether it's a cozy family room, a dedicated home theater, a guest suite, or a combination of these, the possibilities are endless. This project is a testament to our commitment to exceptional craftsmanship and our ability to turn a homeowner's vision into a reality.

2013 CHRYSALIS AWARD SOUTH REGION WINNER, RESIDENTIAL EXTERIOR This 1970’s split-level single-family home in an upscale Arlington neighborhood had been neglected for years. With his surrounding neighbors all doing major exterior and interior remodeling, however, the owner decided it was time to renovate his property as well. After several consultation meetings with the design team at Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes, he settled on an exterior layout to create an Art & Craft design for the home. It all got started by excavating the front and left side of the house and attaching a wrap-around stone porch. Key design attributes include a black metal roof, large tapered columns, blue and grey random style flag stone, beaded stain ceiling paneling and an octagonal seating area on the left side of this porch. The front porch has a wide stairway and another set of stairs leads to the back yard. All exterior walls of homes were modified with new headers to allow much larger custom-made windows, new front doors garage doors, and French side and back doors. A custom-designed mahogany front door with leaded glass provides more light and offers a wider entrance into the home’s living area. Design challenges included removing the entire face of the home and then adding new insulation, Tyvek and Hardiplank siding. The use of high-efficiency low-e windows makes the home air tight. The Arts & Crafts design touches include the front gable over the front porch, the prairie-style grill pattern on the windows and doors, the use of tapered columns sitting over stone columns and the leaded glass front door. Decorative exterior lighting provides the finishing touches to this look.

Opportunity: The unusual shape of this space, low ceilings, and poorly located appliances combined to make guests feel cramped and unsure of where to sit in this kitchen. The access doors to the exterior deck begged for more space to make for a more natural flow from the inside out. And the adjacent TV area off of the kitchen felt neglected and disjointed. With some holistic thinking and beautiful details, we were able to turn this awkward space into a focal point of a warm and cozy home. RESULT: The range backsplash became our piece de resistance and our focus on creating a cohesive design of the spaces. A blue/gray and white theme with gold accents evolved and combined to bring it all together.

A busy family of five decided to turn their neglected living room into a more useful space to accommodate their needs by converting the space into a study, pantry, and breakfast nook. To better facilitate their passion for cooking, the kitchen now features a 72″ wide refrigerator and freezer, bar top seating, and a built-in breakfast nook. Photos by Kimberly Gavin Photography

Desert Earth and Wood took on the challenge of this Tucson urban project. This exterior space was converted from a neglected structure and converted to a beautiful guest house. The natural stone tile and knotty pine provide a relaxed and casual decor to make guest feel comfortable. Photo - John Sartin

We took this dated Master Bathroom and leveraged its size to create a spa like space and experience. The expansive space features a large vanity with storage cabinets that feature SOLLiD Value Series – Tahoe Ash cabinets, Fairmont Designs Apron sinks, granite countertops and Tahoe Ash matching mirror frames for a modern rustic feel. The design is completed with Jeffrey Alexander by Hardware Resources Durham cabinet pulls that are a perfect touch to the design. We removed the glass block snail shower and the large tub deck and replaced them with a large walk-in shower and stand-alone bathtub to maximize the size and feel of the space. The floor tile is travertine and the shower is a mix of travertine and marble. The water closet is accented with Stikwood Reclaimed Weathered Wood to bring a little character to a usually neglected spot!

Our customer asked us to remodel their pool that had been neglected for some time. Our team got right to work and resurfaced the pool and installed new tile. What a beautiful finished pool that our customer can enjoy for years to come with their friends and family.