We transformed an unfinished basement into a functional oasis, our recent project encompassed the creation of a recreation room, bedroom, and a jack and jill bathroom with a tile look vinyl surround. We also completed the staircase, addressing plumbing issues that emerged during the process with expert problem-solving. Customizing the layout to work around structural beams, we optimized every inch of space, resulting in a harmonious and spacious living area.

As a part of a larger transformation, the kitchen served as an anchor for rethinking how the home could feel and function. The goal was to create a space that felt truly integrated, flowed naturally within itself, and connected seamlessly to the outdoors. Storage was a top priority, with an emphasis on keeping countertops clean and the space feeling calm and open. Flow was equally important. What began as a layout optimized for entertaining evolved into a more intentional approach, where every sightline and transition was thoughtfully considered. The clients also needed the kitchen to work hard for their lifestyle, with a commercial-size refrigerator and freezer, generous prep space, and room to gather. The challenge was to bring purpose and polish to a space that didn’t quite feel like it belonged. The result is a kitchen that’s not only highly functional but finally feels like part of the home. Project challenges: - Maximizing storage was a primary challenge, especially with the inclusion of a commercial-sized fridge and freezer that occupied valuable cabinetry space. - The need for clean, uninterrupted lines throughout the kitchen required thoughtful detailing, especially around cabinetry transitions and appliance integration. - The oversized island design required two stone slabs and waterfall edges on both sides which posed both visual and logistical challenges. - Incorporating electrical outlets into the island in a way that felt intentional and unobtrusive demanded creative problem-solving. - The unique rooflines created strong visual angles that required a considered design approach to ensure the space felt cohesive rather than disjointed. - Balancing symmetry and flow in a kitchen with structural constraints required precise layout planning to maintain a cohesive visual rhythm. - Creating an intentional indoor/outdoor living flow, especially in the transitional space between the sliding doors to the backyard and the kitchen. Project solutions: - To balance the visual weight of the commercial-grade fridge and freezer, we flanked the range and hood with full-height pocket cabinetry, which created symmetry while reclaiming storage space. We also took a look into internal organization and carefully mapped out where every kitchen item would live. This allowed us to make informed decisions about drawer versus door configurations, and when to incorporate features like roll-out shelving to maximize accessibility and function. - Linear light fixtures above the island were chosen for their low visual impact, allowing sightlines to remain clear and emphasizing the thoughtful spatial layout. - The oversized island was carefully executed using two coordinated slabs, with a subtle brass inlay detail between them to turn a logistical challenge into a design feature. - Pop-up electrical outlets were integrated into the island to keep surfaces clutter-free while maintaining easy access, which combined form and function seamlessly. - With multiple focal points and a peaked vaulted ceiling, layout precision was key. The island, hood, and adjacent staircase were all perfectly centered on the vault, creating a sense of alignment across the open space. - In the transitional area between kitchen and backyard, we added a wet bar that visually and functionally connects the indoor space with the outdoors. This addition provides extra storage and creates a dedicated entertainment spot for guests, enhancing the overall flow and usability of the home.

Amazing bathroom transformation! Check out the before & afters...ripped down to the studs and moved some walls to create a clean, crisp transitional bathroom retreat complete with freestanding tub and large shower. Even added a window to bring in some great natural light. Problem solving makes for great unique solutions and a thoughtful space.

The renovation of an extensive linear residence and site facing Port Orchard waterway embraces water, greenspace and forested hillside. The home, completed this fall, serves as an artist’s studio, galleries, family space, game room, outdoor living areas and peaceful retreat. New interiors and exterior spaces and finishes, cabinetry, lighting, paving, landscape and courtyards become settings for the owner’s art + collections, three-generations of family and the wonderful colors and textures of the land + water. Inside, a monumental central stair and tapered two-story tall red cedar and steel column was designed as the residence’s entry focal point and internal landmarks, guiding the visitor’s eye to the main atrium…. and upward. Heavy wide-flange steel moment frames support the house and enable whole walls of glass. Rough, mill-finished steel contrasts refined cabinetry, stone, wood structure and defining dropped ceilings, reflecting the opener’s love of the tension between highly polished and detailed + rough, found art. Outside, A new southern “dining room” was designed for warm summer evening gatherings under a heavy-timber trellis. The focus, opposite water and island views, is a metal perforated screen. The final screen is composed of the lyrics from a Joe Cocker song of great meaning to the owners, cut from ½” marine bronze, set into dark-fired brick. “Oh My Darling, Be Home Soon….” Natural daylight and high-efficiency lighting are central players as in any gallery. From a high clerestory and extensive southern and eastern window-walls to carefully selected up-lighting, pendants, and accent fixtures, Rhodes Architecture + Light worked closely with the owner to ensure that their dark existing house would become one filled with light…. night and day. The owners, Ken and Jane, allowed us to interview them about their experience working with Rhodes Architecture + Light, and how they are feeling about living with the architecture today. What was your experience like, working with Rhodes Architecture + Light? “They worked with us because it was a remodel, an existing thing, and we had to try to make it work for all of our interests and how our family operated. They listened, and we listened, and it was a great communication back and forth.”–Jane How has the renovation changed the way you live and enjoy your home? “I remember saying to them that I want the whole floor heated because it gets so chilly down here. And we had the wood burning stove, but it was over there and now we just turn the floor heat on and we can come down. It’s cozy and nice. So we’re looking forward to winter now.”–Ken “We have 5 kids together and now a bunch of grandchildren. I wanted a marble countertop, but there’s just no way. I didn’t want it to be a place where I had to say, ‘No, no, no. Wipe up your drink, do this, do that.’ I wanted it to be a place where everybody can come with all the kids, and we make a big mess, and I can clean it up. And we can enjoy ourselves here, because that room upstairs, we almost never went in. And now we’re in there eating pizza and watching the game.” –Jane As an artist, Jane enjoyed the collaborative process. “I can’t believe it was as positive as it was. I went into it thinking it would be a great, creative, fun, collaborative thing, and I have to say, with our architects, it was. I like that creative process. I always say when I am doing a painting, it’s a series of problem solving so it wasn’t unusual for me. I am completely blown away by them and had fun with that part of it.” –Jane Architect: Tim James Rhodes RA AIA, Rhodes Architecture + Light Builder: Fairbank Construction Company Structural: Swensen Say Faget

This storage cabinetry was built for a young teacher who is very committed to her profession - teaching. She had accumulated many teaching materials that she used on a regular basis and really needed proper storage space. She needed storage that would let her get her materials organized and be easily accessible to her. When all was said and done she was more than pleased!! Check out our review from "Cooper82".

It’s a beautiful day in St. Petersburg, Florida! Featured: Exterior remodel in Old Southeast.
Two-story exterior home idea in Tampa

We transformed an unfinished basement into a functional oasis, our recent project encompassed the creation of a recreation room, bedroom, and a jack and jill bathroom with a tile look vinyl surround. We also completed the staircase, addressing plumbing issues that emerged during the process with expert problem-solving. Customizing the layout to work around structural beams, we optimized every inch of space, resulting in a harmonious and spacious living area.

We installed this garden a few years after the major installation. There were small pieces of the evil plant Equisetum in the soil mix, that over time became a pest. We shut off the water and put in a desert garden instead. Problem solved. photos by Caitlin Atkinson

This compact DC kitchen was in dire need of space saving tricks and we used several. The kitchen features two tip-on toe kick drawers, sink tilt out, lazy susan, blind corner cabinet and custom vertical wood dividers over the frig. The original kitchen layout was L shaped because space did not allow for full depth base cabinets on the right wall. Problem solved -- we simply built cabinets that were 18" deep which still provide loads of storage as well as much needed counter top space.

Although large, this open floor plan provided many unique challenges. With only one wall in a room with many angles and traffic pathways to seven other areas our work was cut out for us. Problems solved! In the end a beautiful, casual, comfortable conversational space was delivered with a coastal contemporary sophistication.

Malibu Glass Box House by Klopf Architecture Following the devastating Woolsey Fire of 2018, the site in Malibu offered a unique opportunity to rebuild not just a home, but a new architectural composition that highlighted the property’s potential while navigating strict fire-rebuild codes in the area. Designed by Klopf Architecture, this project embraced a set of limitations and translated them into an architectural asset. The city’s fire-rebuild process required the new structure to remain close to the original footprint, size and bulk, a constraint that ultimately clarified the architectural direction. Perched near the front of a long, narrow lot, the new home frames and overlooks a private, park-like rear expanse, an uncommon luxury especially in this part of Malibu . Without a fixed program, the design process allowed for a different kind of creative focus allowing Klopf Architecture the opportunity to explore how a modernist home could best respond to this site. The team approached the project not with a list of requirements, but with a question: How might a modernist live here? What spatial qualities would inspire calm, connection, and a sense of wonder in this setting? The process became less about problem-solving and more about architectural storytelling—letting the site, the light, and the principles of modern design guide the form and flow of the home. The response emerged in the form of a glass-box pavilion, an open, Mid-Century Modern inspired living, dining, and kitchen space that floats at the edge of the property’s natural descent. Connected to the more enclosed, private areas of the home by a glass-walled hallway, the living pavilion becomes a distinct centerpiece of the design. It opens on all four sides to the landscape with decks and patios on the flanks, an internal garden and water feature to the north, and a dramatic unguarded view of the expansive backyard and ocean horizon to the south. Because of the mandated footprint, careful planning was required to ensure every space could still engage with light, landscape, or both. Strategic voids in the form of atriums and courtyards allow daylight to filter deep into the home’s core, while offering moments of surprise and retreat. These design gestures allow natural light to filter deep into the interior, creating a sense of brightness and openness throughout the day. At the same time, they expand the perceptual boundaries between inside and out, making the home feel more expansive while anchoring its connection to the surrounding landscape. The siting of the house is what gives it its unique character. Rather than receding into the backyard like the neighboring homes, the house holds a slight prominence. From the central living pavilion, stepping down into the landscape feels more like entering a secluded park where a separate existing accessory structure, trail, and recreational areas await. The home’s modest street presence gives way to this unfolding drama of space, view, and nature. Fire-resilient materials and assemblies are integrated seamlessly throughout including triple-pane glazing, under-slab and roof insulation, and locally sourced fire-rated cladding ensure the house not only meets Calfornia’s rigorous wildland-urban interface (WUI) standards, but feels effortlessly aligned with them. While technical decisions like fire-hardening and mechanical systems presented some construction challenges, particularly around the cantilevered glass box, the team found a functional compromise that preserved the integrity of the design. Inside, a restrained palette and exposed post and beam design celebrate the ethos of mid-century modernism. A central circulation spine extends from the entry to the rear glass wall, offering a continuous visual link from street to ocean. Spaces such as the library and office, though more intimate in scale, are never cut off from nature as each opens to its own unique courtyard or garden view. Though born out of a strict regulatory framework and developed without a specific client, the rebuild design unfolded with remarkable clarity. Grounded in site logic, refined by limitations and an emphasis on timeless spatial relationships – light, proportion, and a strong connection to nature, the resulting design feels both effortless and uplifting. The home lives lightly on the land, opens generously to its surroundings, and strikes a careful balance between privacy, openness, and calm. For Klopf Architecture, it stands as a compelling case study in how site, code, and circumstantial constraints can inspire enduring, modernist architecture. With years of experience reimagining mid-century modern design for how people live today, the firm took the project’s limitations as an opportunity. The result is a home shaped by open, flowing spaces, strong indoor-outdoor connections, and a calm, clear sense of structure. It’s a good reminder that even with strict constraints, there’s still room for architecture to breathe—and for modernism to keep moving forward. Klopf Architecture project team: Geoff Campen, John Klopf, AIA, and Sherry Tan Structural Engineer: ZFA Contractor: Maison D’Artiste Photography: ©2025 Mariko Reed Year Completed: 2023

This bathroom converted from a small bedroom in a ranch-style home on a concrete slab, is now a beautiful, light-filled retreat. One of the biggest challenges in this transformation was the plumbing. With the home built on a slab, running new lines required creative problem-solving. But the result was worth it: a custom walk-in shower with frameless glass that keeps the space feeling airy and expansive. The client gravitated toward natural finishes, so we balanced modern simplicity with warm wood tones. Custom-built open shelving features sliding pull-out shelves for easy access and a clean, tailored look. The vanity’s natural woodgrain adds warmth, while brushed nickel fixtures maintain a streamlined, modern aesthetic.

Dining room - contemporary dining room idea in New York

What began as a problem-solving exercise to control excessive wind in the courtyard of a newly-built semi-custom Spanish Colonial Revival home in Orinda, CA, culminated in a true work of art. The hand-crafted metal and resin screen design began with a traditional Moorish star pattern that was scaled up then distorted slightly. Two-inch wide steel bars are interwoven to create a frame holding opaque resin panels that block both the wind and views from the neighboring property. Bland concrete floors were replaced with bespoke cement tiles that continue the Moorish star pattern and complete the client’s vision of a Spanish retreat in the California hills.

The renovation of an extensive linear residence and site facing Port Orchard waterway embraces water, greenspace and forested hillside. The home, completed this fall, serves as an artist’s studio, galleries, family space, game room, outdoor living areas and peaceful retreat. New interiors and exterior spaces and finishes, cabinetry, lighting, paving, landscape and courtyards become settings for the owner’s art + collections, three-generations of family and the wonderful colors and textures of the land + water. Inside, a monumental central stair and tapered two-story tall red cedar and steel column was designed as the residence’s entry focal point and internal landmarks, guiding the visitor’s eye to the main atrium…. and upward. Heavy wide-flange steel moment frames support the house and enable whole walls of glass. Rough, mill-finished steel contrasts refined cabinetry, stone, wood structure and defining dropped ceilings, reflecting the opener’s love of the tension between highly polished and detailed + rough, found art. Outside, A new southern “dining room” was designed for warm summer evening gatherings under a heavy-timber trellis. The focus, opposite water and island views, is a metal perforated screen. The final screen is composed of the lyrics from a Joe Cocker song of great meaning to the owners, cut from ½” marine bronze, set into dark-fired brick. “Oh My Darling, Be Home Soon….” Natural daylight and high-efficiency lighting are central players as in any gallery. From a high clerestory and extensive southern and eastern window-walls to carefully selected up-lighting, pendants, and accent fixtures, Rhodes Architecture + Light worked closely with the owner to ensure that their dark existing house would become one filled with light…. night and day. The owners, Ken and Jane, allowed us to interview them about their experience working with Rhodes Architecture + Light, and how they are feeling about living with the architecture today. What was your experience like, working with Rhodes Architecture + Light? “They worked with us because it was a remodel, an existing thing, and we had to try to make it work for all of our interests and how our family operated. They listened, and we listened, and it was a great communication back and forth.”–Jane How has the renovation changed the way you live and enjoy your home? “I remember saying to them that I want the whole floor heated because it gets so chilly down here. And we had the wood burning stove, but it was over there and now we just turn the floor heat on and we can come down. It’s cozy and nice. So we’re looking forward to winter now.”–Ken “We have 5 kids together and now a bunch of grandchildren. I wanted a marble countertop, but there’s just no way. I didn’t want it to be a place where I had to say, ‘No, no, no. Wipe up your drink, do this, do that.’ I wanted it to be a place where everybody can come with all the kids, and we make a big mess, and I can clean it up. And we can enjoy ourselves here, because that room upstairs, we almost never went in. And now we’re in there eating pizza and watching the game.” –Jane As an artist, Jane enjoyed the collaborative process. “I can’t believe it was as positive as it was. I went into it thinking it would be a great, creative, fun, collaborative thing, and I have to say, with our architects, it was. I like that creative process. I always say when I am doing a painting, it’s a series of problem solving so it wasn’t unusual for me. I am completely blown away by them and had fun with that part of it.” –Jane Architect: Tim James Rhodes RA AIA, Rhodes Architecture + Light Builder: Fairbank Construction Company Structural: Swensen Say Faget

Malibu Glass Box House by Klopf Architecture Following the devastating Woolsey Fire of 2018, the site in Malibu offered a unique opportunity to rebuild not just a home, but a new architectural composition that highlighted the property’s potential while navigating strict fire-rebuild codes in the area. Designed by Klopf Architecture, this project embraced a set of limitations and translated them into an architectural asset. The city’s fire-rebuild process required the new structure to remain close to the original footprint, size and bulk, a constraint that ultimately clarified the architectural direction. Perched near the front of a long, narrow lot, the new home frames and overlooks a private, park-like rear expanse, an uncommon luxury especially in this part of Malibu . Without a fixed program, the design process allowed for a different kind of creative focus allowing Klopf Architecture the opportunity to explore how a modernist home could best respond to this site. The team approached the project not with a list of requirements, but with a question: How might a modernist live here? What spatial qualities would inspire calm, connection, and a sense of wonder in this setting? The process became less about problem-solving and more about architectural storytelling—letting the site, the light, and the principles of modern design guide the form and flow of the home. The response emerged in the form of a glass-box pavilion, an open, Mid-Century Modern inspired living, dining, and kitchen space that floats at the edge of the property’s natural descent. Connected to the more enclosed, private areas of the home by a glass-walled hallway, the living pavilion becomes a distinct centerpiece of the design. It opens on all four sides to the landscape with decks and patios on the flanks, an internal garden and water feature to the north, and a dramatic unguarded view of the expansive backyard and ocean horizon to the south. Because of the mandated footprint, careful planning was required to ensure every space could still engage with light, landscape, or both. Strategic voids in the form of atriums and courtyards allow daylight to filter deep into the home’s core, while offering moments of surprise and retreat. These design gestures allow natural light to filter deep into the interior, creating a sense of brightness and openness throughout the day. At the same time, they expand the perceptual boundaries between inside and out, making the home feel more expansive while anchoring its connection to the surrounding landscape. The siting of the house is what gives it its unique character. Rather than receding into the backyard like the neighboring homes, the house holds a slight prominence. From the central living pavilion, stepping down into the landscape feels more like entering a secluded park where a separate existing accessory structure, trail, and recreational areas await. The home’s modest street presence gives way to this unfolding drama of space, view, and nature. Fire-resilient materials and assemblies are integrated seamlessly throughout including triple-pane glazing, under-slab and roof insulation, and locally sourced fire-rated cladding ensure the house not only meets Calfornia’s rigorous wildland-urban interface (WUI) standards, but feels effortlessly aligned with them. While technical decisions like fire-hardening and mechanical systems presented some construction challenges, particularly around the cantilevered glass box, the team found a functional compromise that preserved the integrity of the design. Inside, a restrained palette and exposed post and beam design celebrate the ethos of mid-century modernism. A central circulation spine extends from the entry to the rear glass wall, offering a continuous visual link from street to ocean. Spaces such as the library and office, though more intimate in scale, are never cut off from nature as each opens to its own unique courtyard or garden view. Though born out of a strict regulatory framework and developed without a specific client, the rebuild design unfolded with remarkable clarity. Grounded in site logic, refined by limitations and an emphasis on timeless spatial relationships – light, proportion, and a strong connection to nature, the resulting design feels both effortless and uplifting. The home lives lightly on the land, opens generously to its surroundings, and strikes a careful balance between privacy, openness, and calm. For Klopf Architecture, it stands as a compelling case study in how site, code, and circumstantial constraints can inspire enduring, modernist architecture. With years of experience reimagining mid-century modern design for how people live today, the firm took the project’s limitations as an opportunity. The result is a home shaped by open, flowing spaces, strong indoor-outdoor connections, and a calm, clear sense of structure. It’s a good reminder that even with strict constraints, there’s still room for architecture to breathe—and for modernism to keep moving forward. Klopf Architecture project team: Geoff Campen, John Klopf, AIA, and Sherry Tan Structural Engineer: ZFA Contractor: Maison D’Artiste Photography: ©2025 Mariko Reed Year Completed: 2023

Our Gold Coast shopfitters created an outstanding cafe fitout for these small business owners. This being the second of two cafes, the owners of Kaffe Co. wanted something a little different to their original space, opening up the kitchen and front counter area to allow customers to see right into the kitchen and preparation spaces. The client’s hope for the fitout was to have all the space well utilised to allow for a full kitchen while catering for plenty of dine-in customers. The cafe design was all about creating an inviting and relaxing space for customers to sit and enjoy a meal on a break from shopping. Our Gold Coast shopfitters worked around many other builds happening in the new shopping centre at the time which called for a high level of organisation and some problem solving to ensure the smooth operation of the build. The cafe offers a clean, minimalistic style with polished concrete floors, Hamptons inspired white timber walls and a beautiful timber bench top – all finished off with on-trend copper light fixtures creating a comfortable and pleasant eatery for shoppers in the midst of a busy arena. The cafe owners are now all set with a fresh new look – a space ready to be filled with coffee aromas, delicious foods and plenty of chatter! Love this cafe fitout? Get in touch with our Hope Island shopfitters or call 1300 654 634 to find a Total Fitouts near you.

Prior to COVID-19, this space was a bypass closet in a spare bedroom. After the pandemic started, the owner was working from home and needed an inexpensive home office. Problem solved. Added a desk height workspace, and some shelving. Electric for the computer and phone!

Every summer your watching your favorite show, and you see the weather. You feel like you're missing out, because you are. Maybe you're at the park, and you know you can't check social media because of all of the spoiler alerts! Problem solved, no cheating, get the best of both worlds, let the kids be kids, spend time with them, and be outside where the weather is perfect!