The Dressing Room was opened up to provide more space and light. Custom Walnut wardrobes, dresser, and shoe bench provide clothes storage. The blackened steel fireplace creates a warm focus for lounging.

Saving the original stained glass picture window from 1916, we created a focal point with a custom designed arch alcove with dentil molding. Leaded glass upper cabinets add ambiance and sparkle to the compact kitchen.

Inspiration for a transitional dining room remodel in San Francisco

Transitional entryway photo in San Francisco

“Greensboro’s Grandest House” was recently selected as the 2013 ShowHouse presented by the Junior League of Greensboro and national media sponsor Traditional Home. Among the local and national design talent featured in this special fundraising event was design duo Patti Allen and Stephanie James of Furnitureland South, who transformed the estate’s patio into a classic, colorful and cozy space. Built in the early 1920s, the Adamsleigh estate is more than 15,000 square feet and covers 13.5 acres that include pools, a lake, tennis courts, a stone gazebo and a five-car garage. The 30×60 patio presented a special design challenge – the space was in disrepair and sat unevenly on a downward slope. Rising to the challenge, Patti and Stephanie partnered with Outer Space Landscapes to change the elevation of the patio in order to draw attention to the focal point and inspiration of the project: a beautiful canopy sofa by Century Furniture. The addition of 6 tons of landscaping material included Pennsylvania blue stone, pebbles, sand, cherry trees, azaleas and geraniums all blooming in the colors of the latest Sunbrella fabrics featured in the outdoor furnishings: crisp, sandy white, fuchsia and tangerine. Patti and Stephanie wanted to showcase clean and classic outdoor style with an edge of color and unexpected elements. Playful ottomans by Baker float in the space for multiple functions, adding an extra pop of color to the sophisticated setting which includes a dining table by Oscar de la Renta, organic spot tables from Phillips Collection, and daybeds and seating from Century Furniture. Combining their passion for interior spaces with signature designs, Allen and James Designs gave this outdoor space the comfort, color and style it deserved. Patti and Stephanie, co-founders of Allen and James Designs, are committed to inspire and influence unique spaces for home, work, play and relaxation. With over 25 years of experience and a dedication to client relationships, their infusion of international inspiration with style, color, texture and vision make Patti and Stephanie a creative duo capable of exceeding the expectations of any client’s design project. By forming over 400 connections with key manufactures such as Henredon, Century, Lillian August, Dovetail, Maitland Smith and Huntington House, Allen and James Designs can provide a broad range of options that virtually meet any need a client has to create their dream home.

I love this room! Notice the drawer storage below the bench. The top drawers of the sideboard are equipped with electronics for charging various devices. We deleted the center room light fixture, moved the table off center, then added wall sconces and this array of ceiling-mount lights - switched separately and dimmable. Now the table can be placed this way or that, and good lighting is always available.

New from the Elite® Series, the Ravenna™ CD insert puts the “aah” in ambiance with a beautiful flame presentation that’s amplified by reflective porcelain panels. The Ravenna™ CD fireplace insert radiates style and warmth with dancing flames that fill the porcelain-lined firebox. Along with a stunning flame presentation that’s sure to get your attention, the Ravenna CD delivers on performance with a full-featured Total Comfort Control™ remote and variable-speed blower. Aesthetics State-of-the-art burn technology produces a vibrant flame that infuses your living space with warmth and ambiance. Variety of face and media options are available to suit your style preferences. Stylishly reflective porcelain firebox liners add visual impact to the flame presentation. Approved for zero-clearance (metal) and masonry fireplaces. Comfort Wireless Total Comfort Control™ remote system provides precise heat control. Electronic ignition system with battery backup—ignites and heats during a power outage. Variable-speed, 155-CFM blower provides powerful and efficient warmth. 83-86% steady-state efficiency for even, continual heating. Ease of Operation From the convenience of your sofa, use your Total Comfort Control remote to adjust the room temperature around the exact area where you are relaxing. Six heat and blower settings give you precise control to efficiently heat the space around you. One-touch On/Off switch allows quick fire ignition and shutoff. *Square-feet heating capacities are approximations only. Local conditions, such as elevation, wind, vent configuration and choice of fuel will affect overall appearance of the fire and heating performance. Performance can also vary with home design and insulation, climate, condition and type of fuel used, appliance location, burn rate, accessories chosen, chimney installation and how the appliance is operated.

The Bathroom layout is open and linear. A long vanity with medicine cabinet storage above is opposite full height Walnut storage cabinets. A new wet room with plaster and marble tile walls has a shower and a custom marble soaking tub.

Photo: Carolyn Reyes © 2017 Houzz Kitchen Design team: D Christjan Fine Cabinetry Design & Manufacturing
Example of a classic l-shaped beige floor wet bar design in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets and green backsplash

A rustic, yet refined Texas farmhouse by Architect Michael Imber is adorned throughout the exterior with handcrafted copper lanterns from Bevolo. Airy, light-filled, & set amid ancient pecan and sycamore tree groves, the architect's use of materials allows the structure to seamlessly harmonize with its surroundings, while Interior Designer Fern Santini's clever use of texture & patina, bring warmth to every room within. The result is a home built with a true understanding and love for the past. See more of the project. http://ow.ly/8mDo30nCqT7 Featured Lanterns: Governor Flush Mount http://ow.ly/iHRw30nCqVI

Photo: Carolyn Reyes © 2017 Houzz
Inspiration for a timeless beige floor enclosed kitchen remodel in Los Angeles with a farmhouse sink, beaded inset cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, blue backsplash, stainless steel appliances and no island

Notable design elements include: Roll and Hill Bluff City pendant. Photography: Francesco Bertocci
Small trendy dark wood floor kitchen photo in New York with an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, stainless steel countertops, metallic backsplash and no island

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

Photo: Carolyn Reyes © 2017 Houzz Bee's Bliss Design team: Rose Thicket: Botanical Design House
Inspiration for a shabby-chic style family room remodel in Los Angeles

Photo: Carolyn Reyes © 2017 Houzz Design team: Alicia Friedmann Interior Design Powder Room
Trendy black floor powder room photo in Los Angeles with black walls and a wall-mount sink

Kitchen Designer (Savannah Schmitt) Cabinetry (Eudora Full Access, Homestead Door Style, Iron Finish, Floating Shelves - Heirloom Ash) Photographer (Smiths Do Love) Builder (Vintage Homes)

Powder room - transitional dark wood floor, brown floor and wallpaper powder room idea in Indianapolis with flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, beige walls, an undermount sink, white countertops and a freestanding vanity

Julie Soefer
Kids' bedroom - transitional medium tone wood floor kids' bedroom idea in Houston with gray walls

Living room - transitional medium tone wood floor and brown floor living room idea in DC Metro with white walls, a concrete fireplace and a standard fireplace