Search results for "Positively impact" in Home Design Ideas

Originally designed by one of the most notable landscape architects in town, this once impressive project had faltered in recent years. The pool and spa still functioned well, and the client wanted to keep it intact. In addition, they wanted to keep as much of the existing landscaping as possible. The surrounding decks, walls, and steps were fair game. At first glance, one might think that our changes were simple material changes. Upon closer inspection, however, one can see the subtle, yet transformative changes that come together to update this classic pool in a tasteful, timeless manner, and improve the flow and usability of the deck areas, while softening the feel of the massive hardscape.
The subtle changes begin as soon as you walk out the back door of the house. The existing decking had a lot of what we call “tweeners”; areas that are overly generous walkways, yet not large enough to house furniture. The awkwardly small bluestone patio was expanded to accommodate a generous seating area, by pushing the step-down closer to the pool. Our talented stone mason carefully married the new bluestone into the existing, resulting in an imperceptible difference between the two. As you descend the new bluestone steps to the pool level, your bare feet will be thankful for the new smooth-finished limestone colored concrete, with a hand cut pattern carefully etched into its surface. The old red brick decking was so hot that the owners could not walk around the pool in bare feet. The brick coping was also replaced with an eased edge Pennsylvania Premier Stone which matches the new step treads throughout the project. Between the house and the pool, a large raised planter was reconfigured, giving additional space to the pool deck for a shaded lounge chair area.
Across the pool, a bank of rather tall painted brick retaining walls were cut down, shortened, and moved. This lessened the visual impact of the walls, which were rather overwhelming in the space, as well as opening up a new seating area, nestled under the arms of the massive pecan at the back of the property. Rather than continuing solid decking around the entire pool, the area near these walls has been transformed to large stone stepper pads set in a sea of beautiful St. Augustine lawn. This creates a visually softened area that is still suited to setting tables and chairs when the guest list calls for additional seating.
The spa area is quite possibly the most dramatic change on this project. Yet more raised planter walls divided this area into awkward spaces, unsuited to proper furniture placement. The planters were removed, new stone decks, once again expertly married into the existing, opening the area to house a large dining table and new built in bbq area. The spa itself was re-imagined with the bluestone coping, and painted brick veneer. The most impressive addition though is the new handmade glazed tiles that surround the existing cast stone water feature. This water feature was almost unnoticeable against the painted brick wall, but now the dramatic arch and pop of color draw the eye to this quaint little corner of the property.

This stunning outdoor project skillfully integrates a modern deck, an elegant pergola, a luxurious pool, and meticulous landscaping to create a serene backyard retreat. As a reputable contractor specializing in outdoor living spaces, we've crafted an environment that not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of your home but also boosts its functional value.
Highlights of the Project:
Custom-Designed Deck: Utilizing premium materials, our team constructed a spacious deck that provides a durable and stylish area for relaxation and entertainment.
Modern Pergola Installation: Overlooking the pool, the pergola offers a shaded lounge area, equipped with atmospheric lighting for evenings outdoors.
Luxury Pool Construction: Designed with precision, the pool is the centerpiece of this backyard oasis, featuring top-of-the-line filtration and heating systems to ensure comfort and ease of maintenance.
Professional Landscaping: Surrounding the deck and pool, our landscaping design includes a blend of native plants and modern garden elements, creating a lush, inviting outdoor space.
Quality Materials and Craftsmanship: Only the best materials were selected to ensure longevity and resistance to weather conditions, reflecting our commitment to quality.
Energy-Efficient Solutions: Incorporating energy-efficient lighting and water systems, this project is designed to minimize environmental impact while maintaining luxury.
Seamless Integration with Home Architecture: The design complements the home’s exterior, enhancing its overall charm and increasing property value.
Custom Features: From bespoke furniture to integrated sound systems, every detail is tailored to the homeowner's preferences.
Safety Measures: Equipped with non-slip surfaces and secure fencing around the pool area to ensure safety without compromising style.
Project Management Excellence: Our team managed all aspects of the project from design to execution, ensuring a smooth process without any compromises on quality.
This project not only provides a stunning visual addition to your property but also offers a functional space where family and friends can gather and enjoy the outdoors. As your contractor, we ensure that every detail is crafted to meet the highest standards of quality and aesthetics.
Find the right local pro for your project

John Jackovich-Grande Custom Homes
Inspiration for a transitional formal light wood floor living room remodel in Charlotte with gray walls, a standard fireplace and no tv
Inspiration for a transitional formal light wood floor living room remodel in Charlotte with gray walls, a standard fireplace and no tv

Backsplash - Lunada Bay Tile - Sumi-e 1 x 4 Mini Brick / Color - Izu Natural
Michael Partenio
Eat-in kitchen - coastal eat-in kitchen idea in Boston with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, glass tile backsplash, granite countertops, blue backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island
Eat-in kitchen - coastal eat-in kitchen idea in Boston with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, glass tile backsplash, granite countertops, blue backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

The original primary bathroom, while spacious enough to be impressive, unfortunately fell short in terms of functionality. The shower was so cramped that no adult could use it comfortably. The odd angles, combined with the dark and outdated finishes, along with a massive built-in tub that consumed excessive space, made it clear that a complete transformation was needed.
In our redesign, we introduced elegant walnut cabinetry and created a stunning centerpiece in the shower, featuring dual shower heads and dual handheld options.
This transformation turned the client’s bathroom into a perfect morning oasis. The clients are absolutely thrilled with their revamped space, which offers a complete escape from their daily routines. We are so excited that we got to impact our clients’ lives in a positive way.
?️ Prestige Home Renovations
Bathroom Design and Cabinetry @signaturedesigns.kbi
? @martin.photography__

From Mid-Century Classic to the Present
An iconic design updated with comfort, function, and flow for today.
A Remodel That Balances Past and Present
What started as a desire to update a classic Eichler soon became an exploration of how Mid-Century Modern design can successfully evolve for today. The client, a tech professional with a passion for scuba diving and underwater photography, wanted a home that would both honor its original character and feel tailored to his daily life. A lifelong technology enthusiast, he still owns the very first Mac desktop he saved up for as a teenager working at Radio Shack, a detail that underscores his appreciation for design that melds function and form.
Honoring Separation While Expanding Possibility
Unlike many contemporary remodels where walls are opened up to create expansive living spaces, this project took a more restrained approach. The client valued the defined rooms of the original plan and wanted to preserve as much wall space as possible for displaying his large-format underwater photography. The emphasis was not on dramatic spatial reinvention, but on thoughtful refinements. Klopf Architecture shaped a gallery-like backdrop while also expanding the primary suite, modernizing materials and fixtures throughout the home, and improving the functionality and layout of the kitchen. The finished home feels at once timeless and renewed, an Eichler that continues to inspire while fully supporting the lifestyle of its present-day owner.
A major turning point came mid-design. The original project brief had not included an addition, but as the reconfiguration of the primary bedroom and bath unfolded, it became clear that an expansion was the best approach to achieve the client’s vision of a more spacious suite. Fortunately, the adjustment came at a stage when revisions were still manageable and was integrated seamlessly, showing how thoughtful course corrections can strengthen a project rather than hinder it.
Navigating Challenges With Precision
The design development included multiple conceptual rounds, balancing preservation with subtle expansion. During construction, an existing post previously thought to be load-bearing turned out not to be. The structural engineer was able to pivot quickly, and both the post and the cross beam that had been intended to replace it could be omitted, allowing the original rhythm of the Eichler beam bays to be preserved.
Sustainability was not just a checklist item, but a way to align the home with the client’s values of simplicity, efficiency, and long-term functionality. R-38 roof insulation reduced energy usage, solar panels with battery storage provided independence and resilience, and passive comfort strategies eliminated the need forenergy-intensive air conditioning. An electric vehicle charger and an on-demand hot water recirculation system (with call buttons as opposed to having constant circulation) add to the home’s long-term efficiency factors. Together, these moves created a home that is quieter, more comfortable, and better equipped for the future, qualities that supported the client’s pragmatic approach to design and living lightly.
Details That Respect the Eichler DNA
The remodel carries forward the Eichler’s original spirit while introducing new layers of modern livability. Originally, the house was approached along a deep, narrow walk, with the garage on one side and the house on the other, leaving the front door tucked far back within this chasm-like space. By pulling the entry forward, the design reshaped the arrival experience, creating a clearer threshold and a natural drop-off zone for bags, shoes, and keys. This shift also made room for a custom bench at the entry that extends seamlessly through the glass sidelight. The bench and drop-off zone now work together as a single, integrated sequence that supports everyday living while offering a tactile reminder of Eichler’s philosophy of connectedness.
At the client’s request, Klopf reintroduced a classic Eichler gesture by extending the exterior siding into the entry and living room. The detail reinforces a sense of indoor/outdoor continuity while providing a subtle architectural surface that allows the client’s photography to take visual precedence.
The signature concrete masonry wall at the front was reconstructed using blocks sourced to match the originals, now strengthened with rebar for seismic resilience while maintaining a private outdoor courtyard, visually extending the kitchen outward. A decorative trellis element, a detail borrowed from a neighboring Eichler, restores a familiar mid-century modern architectural motif. At the courtyard entry door, a custom etched glass sidelight with an ocean-themed design featuring kelp and jellyfish serves as a subtle homage to the client’s passion for deep-sea diving.
Landscaping became an integral part of the overall transformation. The homeowner engaged landscape architect Randi Johnsen of Third Nature Studio to shape a series of calm, inviting outdoor rooms that read as a natural extension of the interiors. While technically outside of the core construction scope, the landscape design proved central to achieving a sense of completeness and connectedness across the property. Such whole-property considerations often emerge as design ideas take shape, underscoring the importance of flexibility in planning and budgeting, as well as close collaboration among the design team starting early in the process.
The Value of Evolving Scope
As with many custom residential projects, the scope evolved during the design process. What began as a targeted remodel grew to include a new/expanded primary suite, a rebuilt CMU patio wall for strength and longevity, and a solar panel array and battery storage for energy resilience and carbon-reduction. Each thoughtful decision represented a conscious investment in the home’s performance and character, rather than a cost overrun.
The result was a project delivered on schedule, tailored precisely to the client’s lifestyle, and positioned to add long-term value both functionally and aesthetically. By embracing scope evolution as an opportunity rather than a challenge, and relying on good design paired with transparent communication, this remodel demonstrates how Eichler homes can be adapted for contemporary living without erasing their DNA.
Klopf Architecture project team: John Klopf, AIA, and Klara Kevane, Elise Webb and Nicholas LaNasa.
Contractor: Golden Cove Construction
Landscape Design: Third Nature Studio
Structural Engineer: Daniel Bastiao Design
Photography: ©2025 Mariko Reed
Year Completed: 2024
Location: Sunnyvale, CA

Sponsored
Delaware, OH
Buckeye Basements, Inc.
Central Ohio's Basement Finishing ExpertsBest Of Houzz '13-'21

Photo: Margaret Wright Photography © 2017 Houzz
Example of a classic family room design in Charleston with white walls, a standard fireplace and a wall-mounted tv
Example of a classic family room design in Charleston with white walls, a standard fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Compact Luxury, Endless Enjoyment
This impeccably designed outdoor living room delivers maximum impact in a refined footprint. Thoughtfully arranged beneath an overhead roof with zoned infrared heating, the space seamlessly combines a cozy lounge, elegant dining area, and a sleek drinks bar featuring a built-in kegerator—perfect for year-round entertaining. Step outside to a crescent of plush seating encircling a roaring firepit, set beneath the stars and framed by up-lit white birch trees that create an enchanting, resort-like ambiance.

Par Bengtsson Photography
Inspiration for a contemporary formal porcelain tile living room remodel in Dallas with gray walls
Inspiration for a contemporary formal porcelain tile living room remodel in Dallas with gray walls

Powder Room. Photo by Clark Dugger
Example of a small trendy medium tone wood floor and brown floor powder room design in Los Angeles with a wall-mount sink, white walls and a two-piece toilet
Example of a small trendy medium tone wood floor and brown floor powder room design in Los Angeles with a wall-mount sink, white walls and a two-piece toilet

Keep this bold reminder on your wall. “Smile more” and live a happy and optimistic life. This wall art can be hung in any room of your home so it motivates you for a positive day. This piece would also make a great gift for any friend or colleague who you think could use a reminder to put a smile on their face more often. The black and white color scheme is quite bold, but still simple, and will look great in any room and complement any existing interior design elements or colors that you have used in your décor. It best companies with our wall art “Worry Less”.
Features:
-Original design
-Gallery quality cotton canvas and solid wood frame
-Made in USA
-Gallery wrapped canvas art
-Sawtooth hangers installed
-Wipe with damp cloth

When the owner of this petite c. 1910 cottage in Riverside, RI first considered purchasing it, he fell for its charming front façade and the stunning rear water views. But it needed work. The weather-worn, water-facing back of the house was in dire need of attention. The first-floor kitchen/living/dining areas were cramped. There was no first-floor bathroom, and the second-floor bathroom was a fright. Most surprisingly, there was no rear-facing deck off the kitchen or living areas to allow for outdoor living along the Providence River.
In collaboration with the homeowner, KHS proposed a number of renovations and additions. The first priority was a new cantilevered rear deck off an expanded kitchen/dining area and reconstructed sunroom, which was brought up to the main floor level. The cantilever of the deck prevents the need for awkwardly tall supporting posts that could potentially be undermined by a future storm event or rising sea level.
To gain more first-floor living space, KHS also proposed capturing the corner of the wrapping front porch as interior kitchen space in order to create a more generous open kitchen/dining/living area, while having minimal impact on how the cottage appears from the curb. Underutilized space in the existing mudroom was also reconfigured to contain a modest full bath and laundry closet. Upstairs, a new full bath was created in an addition between existing bedrooms. It can be accessed from both the master bedroom and the stair hall. Additional closets were added, too.
New windows and doors, new heart pine flooring stained to resemble the patina of old pine flooring that remained upstairs, new tile and countertops, new cabinetry, new plumbing and lighting fixtures, as well as a new color palette complete the updated look. Upgraded insulation in areas exposed during the construction and augmented HVAC systems also greatly improved indoor comfort. Today, the cottage continues to charm while also accommodating modern amenities and features.

Mark Woods
Eat-in kitchen - mid-sized contemporary l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen idea in Seattle with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, stainless steel countertops and window backsplash
Eat-in kitchen - mid-sized contemporary l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen idea in Seattle with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, stainless steel countertops and window backsplash

http://mollywinphotography.com
Mid-sized cottage brick floor double front door photo in Austin with white walls and a glass front door
Mid-sized cottage brick floor double front door photo in Austin with white walls and a glass front door

Carrera marble subway tile and marble hex floor tile create a classic, timeless mater bathroom. The pedestal tub has a view to Mount Rainer, and is lighted by a Tom Dixon pendant.
Alex Hayden Photography.
2




