The integrated concrete sinks were formed as part of the concrete countertop itself. Custom steel supports for the mirrors preserve the continuous window's view to the north. Hansgrohe wall mounted fixtures allow the 33' long vanity to remain undisturbed. Winquist Photography, Matt Winquist

Danish light wood floor living room photo in Chicago with white walls

The Lucius 140 1/3 by Element4 is a stunning peninsula fireplace. With the 1/3 option, only 1/3 of the fire is shown from the other side, creating drama on one side of the fireplace while the other is remains subdued.

Inspiration for a contemporary dark wood floor dining room remodel in Chicago with white walls

Dining room - rustic terra-cotta tile dining room idea in Boston with white walls

Designed and built by Terramor Homes in Raleigh, NC. This open design concept was an exciting challenge. Kitchen, Family Room and Large Eat in Kitchen are entirely open to each other for family enjoyment. When we enjoy a large family gathering, we envisioned it to be while enjoying the view of the woods, greenway and river seen from the back of the home. Since most of our gatherings extend past single table seating spaces, we wanted to plan properly for spill over onto the huge screened porch that adjoins all of the rooms for extended seating that remains all-inclusive. The screened porch is accessible from the dining area, but more impressively, by a 16 foot wide sliding glass door across the back wall of the Family Room. When fully opened, an 8 foot wide opening is created- making a complete extension of our living and eating areas fully integrated. Photography: M. Eric Honeycutt

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

Mid-sized minimalist backyard rectangular and concrete pool photo in San Francisco

Packing a lot of function into a small space requires ingenuity and skill, exactly what was needed for this one-bedroom gut in the Meatpacking District. When Axis Mundi was done, all that remained was the expansive arched window. Now one enters onto a pristine white-walled loft warmed by new zebrano plank floors. A new powder room and kitchen are at right. On the left, the lean profile of a folded steel stair cantilevered off the wall allows access to the bedroom above without eating up valuable floor space. Beyond, a living room basks in ample natural light. To allow that light to penetrate to the darkest corners of the bedroom, while also affording the owner privacy, the façade of the master bath, as well as the railing at the edge of the mezzanine space, are sandblasted glass. Finally, colorful furnishings, accessories and photography animate the simply articulated architectural envelope. Project Team: John Beckmann, Nick Messerlian and Richard Rosenbloom Photographer: Mikiko Kikuyama © Axis Mundi Design LLC

Addition and remodel of 1950's Roman brick rambler
Example of a minimalist open concept kitchen design in Seattle with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, laminate countertops and stainless steel appliances

Packing a lot of function into a small space requires ingenuity and skill, exactly what was needed for this one-bedroom gut in the Meatpacking District. When Axis Mundi was done, all that remained was the expansive arched window. Now one enters onto a pristine white-walled loft warmed by new zebrano plank floors. A new powder room and kitchen are at right. On the left, the lean profile of a folded steel stair cantilevered off the wall allows access to the bedroom above without eating up valuable floor space. Beyond, a living room basks in ample natural light. To allow that light to penetrate to the darkest corners of the bedroom, while also affording the owner privacy, the façade of the master bath, as well as the railing at the edge of the mezzanine space, are sandblasted glass. Finally, colorful furnishings, accessories and photography animate the simply articulated architectural envelope. Project Team: John Beckmann, Nick Messerlian and Richard Rosenbloom Photographer: Mikiko Kikuyama © Axis Mundi Design LLC

Featured in nearly all Florence Knoll-designed interiors, the Saarinen Executive Chair has remained one of our most popular designs for nearly 70 years. The design, which is now found in dining rooms as often as it is in offices, transformed the notion of what executive seating could be with its sculptural form and modern finishing. www.softsquare.com

IQ Glass UK
Inspiration for a contemporary one-story flat roof remodel in London

Fire Line Automatic 3 is the most intelligent and luxurious bio fireplace available today. Driven by state of the art technology it combines the stylish beauty of a traditional fireplace with the fresh approach of modern innovation. This one of a kind, intelligent solution allows you to create an endless line of fire by connecting multiple units that can be controlled with any smart device through a Wi-Fi system. If this isn’t enough FLA3 can also be connected to any Smart Home System offering you the ultimate in design, safety and comfort. Marcin Konopka from MSWW http://youtu.be/Qs2rMe-Rx2c

Large modern one-story stone flat roof idea in Central Coast

Kashiwa Photography
Enclosed kitchen - eclectic u-shaped enclosed kitchen idea in Christchurch with glass-front cabinets, light wood cabinets, metallic backsplash, metal backsplash, stainless steel appliances and a peninsula

Andrew Latreille
Large 1960s white two-story stucco house exterior photo in Vancouver with a shingle roof

A Scandinavian inspired modern family kitchen with a hint of mid modern vibe. The slim shaker profile on the cabinet doors provides a timeless mid modern accent, while the overall colour palette remains neutral with wood tones to bring in a sense of nature. Modern finishes such as quartz countertop and large marble porcelain backsplash are chosen for easy maintenance for a busy family.

Inspiration for a large modern open concept gray floor family room library remodel in Berlin with white walls, a standard fireplace and a metal fireplace