The worn, pet-damaged carpet was removed and replaced with 24x24" Italian porcelain tiles. The slate fireplace tiles were removed and replaced with a 2x4" mosaic in the same material as the floor.

©Shoot2Sell Photography
Patio - country backyard patio idea in Dallas with a roof extension

Inspiration for a large transitional l-shaped medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen remodel in DC Metro with a farmhouse sink, gray cabinets, wood countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and shaker cabinets

This stunning home is a combination of the best of traditional styling with clean and modern design, creating a look that will be as fresh tomorrow as it is today. Traditional white painted cabinetry in the kitchen, combined with the slab backsplash, a simpler door style and crown moldings with straight lines add a sleek, non-fussy style. An architectural hood with polished brass accents and stainless steel appliances dress up this painted kitchen for upscale, contemporary appeal. The kitchen islands offers a notable color contrast with their rich, dark, gray finish. The stunning bar area is the entertaining hub of the home. The second bar allows the homeowners an area for their guests to hang out and keeps them out of the main work zone. The family room used to be shut off from the kitchen. Opening up the wall between the two rooms allows for the function of modern living. The room was full of built ins that were removed to give the clean esthetic the homeowners wanted. It was a joy to redesign the fireplace to give it the contemporary feel they longed for. Their used to be a large angled wall in the kitchen (the wall the double oven and refrigerator are on) by straightening that out, the homeowners gained better function in the kitchen as well as allowing for the first floor laundry to now double as a much needed mudroom room as well.

Mid-sized trendy u-shaped medium tone wood floor and beige floor eat-in kitchen photo in New York with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, multicolored backsplash, mosaic tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and quartz countertops

When Cummings Architects first met with the owners of this understated country farmhouse, the building’s layout and design was an incoherent jumble. The original bones of the building were almost unrecognizable. All of the original windows, doors, flooring, and trims – even the country kitchen – had been removed. Mathew and his team began a thorough design discovery process to find the design solution that would enable them to breathe life back into the old farmhouse in a way that acknowledged the building’s venerable history while also providing for a modern living by a growing family. The redesign included the addition of a new eat-in kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms, wrap around porch, and stone fireplaces. To begin the transforming restoration, the team designed a generous, twenty-four square foot kitchen addition with custom, farmers-style cabinetry and timber framing. The team walked the homeowners through each detail the cabinetry layout, materials, and finishes. Salvaged materials were used and authentic craftsmanship lent a sense of place and history to the fabric of the space. The new master suite included a cathedral ceiling showcasing beautifully worn salvaged timbers. The team continued with the farm theme, using sliding barn doors to separate the custom-designed master bath and closet. The new second-floor hallway features a bold, red floor while new transoms in each bedroom let in plenty of light. A summer stair, detailed and crafted with authentic details, was added for additional access and charm. Finally, a welcoming farmer’s porch wraps around the side entry, connecting to the rear yard via a gracefully engineered grade. This large outdoor space provides seating for large groups of people to visit and dine next to the beautiful outdoor landscape and the new exterior stone fireplace. Though it had temporarily lost its identity, with the help of the team at Cummings Architects, this lovely farmhouse has regained not only its former charm but also a new life through beautifully integrated modern features designed for today’s family. Photo by Eric Roth

This Master Bathroom was dated, dark, and in dire need of an overhaul. Our clients were inspired by a vacation home and wanted black and white basket-weave tile and tiled wainscoting. We used traditional plumbing fixtures, cabinets, and finishes that would complement the tile. We modernized the shower with dual shower heads, DTV, and teak seat. Detailed tile plans were executed to ensure the tile was impeccably installed throughout. This bath was further enhanced with added lighting and radiant heat flooring. This renovation came together beautifully and our clients are thrilled with their classically elegant new master bathroom. Design by: Hatfield Builders | Photography by: Travis G Lilley

Klopf Architecture completely remodeled this once dark Eichler house in Palo Alto creating a more open, bright and functional family home. The reconfigured great room with new full height windows and sliding glass doors blends the indoors with the newly landscaped patio and seating areas outside. The former galley kitchen was relocated and was opened up to have clear sight lines through the great room and out to the patios and yard, including a large island and a beautiful walnut bar countertop with seating. An integrated small front addition was added allowing for a more spacious master bath and hall bath layouts. With the removal of the old brick fireplace, larger sliding glass doors and multiple skylights now flood the home with natural light. The goals were to work within the Eichler style while creating a more open, indoor-outdoor flow and functional spaces, as well as a more efficient building envelope including a well insulated roof, providing solutions that many Eichler homeowners appreciate. The original entryway lacked unique details; the clients desired a more gracious front approach. The historic Eichler color palette was used to create a modern updated front facade. Durable grey porcelain floor tiles unify the entire home, creating a continuous flow. They, along with white walls, provide a backdrop for the unique elements and materials to stand on their own, such as the brightly colored mosaic tiles, the walnut bar and furniture, and stained ceiling boards. A secondary living space was extended out to the patio with the addition of a bench and additional seating. This Single family Eichler 4 bedroom 2 bath remodel is located in the heart of the Silicon Valley. Klopf Architecture Project Team: John Klopf, Klara Kevane, and Ethan Taylor Contractor: Coast to Coast Construction Landscape Contractor: Discelli Structural Engineer: Brian Dotson Consulting Engineer Photography ©2018 Mariko Reed Location: Palo Alto, CA Year completed: 2017

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Gorgeous farmhouse style exterior with front cedar porch. Photo by Spacecrafting
Cottage white two-story exterior home idea in Minneapolis with a shingle roof

Outdoor kitchen Heavy up gas line brought from street to accommodate large scale appliances that was planned for this outdoor kitchen
Inspiration for a timeless kitchen remodel in DC Metro

Our clients' existing kitchen was too small and claustrophobic for the busy household. We decided to swap the locations of the kitchen and dining room and removed the wall that divided them, allowing for much better flow from one room to the other. We also added more lighting and brighter finishes to give the space a clean and modern appearance. The tile backsplash adds texture and geometric patterns to draw in the eye. The quartz surfaces, hardwood floors, and painted cabinets were installed with durability and resilience in mind. The final product was a much better fit for the needs of the household. It also provided a significant investment into the overall value of their home.

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

Our client had a busy life and his Burnaby home was usually his refuge — a place to relax and unwind after a busy day. But, his home was no longer helping him unwind. He called the My House team to do a minimalist home renovation, to transform his home from busy to one free from distraction and clutter. We started by changing the “vibe” in the kitchen, the homeowner’s favourite place in the home. We removed the kitchen walls, and used a maple-clad beam to match the new maple live-edge bar top. Opening up the kitchen instantly improved sight lines and traffic flow between the kitchen and adjacent rooms. This new layout also allowed us to create much needed additional counter top space and storage in the kitchen. The kitchen cabinets were replaced with flat panel, square-edge cabinets and the uppers lift-open. To create an elegant minimalist feel, the full height quartz back splash looks almost like concrete. We also removed the kitchen nook and replaced it with a live-edge counter top, making it a haven to enjoy a morning cup of coffee. Throughout the home, white cabinets help ground and soothe, while the maple accents create warmth without adding unwanted colour or texture. Minimalist Home Renovation: Bathrooms Too We gutted all three bathrooms in this minimalist home renovation and started from scratch. As part of the bathroom renovations, we added new energy-efficient windows. We reconfigured the master bedroom to allow for a full master en suite including a freestanding tub, a usable bench seat for the shower, a wall hung compact toilet, and a minimalist pedestal sink. The new bathtub also has a handheld shower to increase functionality and has a clever built-in ledge to hold a beverage. If your home design and layout are no longer meeting your needs, or you too would like a minimalist home renovation like this home in Burnaby, call the My House Design Build team today and we can help you fall in love with your home again.

Photography by Anthony Crisafulli
Inspiration for a small eclectic shade backyard brick retaining wall landscape in New York.

This project began as a design-build proposal to build an addition for an indoor swim spa and exercise room to a ranch style house. The Clients were seeking a functional and inviting space reminiscent of the luxury resorts and space they have visited during their international travels. One of the biggest challenges was to fit the program within the site and buildable area constraints. In order to maximize floor area, the exterior walls of the addition were located parallel to the property lines along the required setbacks, which resulted in a non-orthagonal geometry in plan. The volume of the addition began to take shape with large floor to ceiling openings strengthening the connection to the outdoors with roof line that rises northward to capture daylight. A series of operable skylights ventilate the room and allow more daylight to penetrate into the adjacent existing den. Inspired by modern additions made to historic structures in Europe, we made a conscious decision to not try to blend the addition into the language of the existing ranch house, choosing instead to juxtapose a structure that was layered and felt light next to the cement tile roof and framed picture windows. The interior walls were finished with a marine grade plywood to withstand a humid environment, and the exteriors were clad with a cedar rainscreen to give privacy where needed and gradually reduced to allow for more glass and visibility. The Clients are immersed in the technological environment of Silicon Valley and appreciated the simple geometries and aesthetics of modern design. c david wakely

The kitchen cabinets are high gloss lacquer with lava stone counters for a crisp modern look. It includes special features such as a breakfast table that retreats under the center island when not in use. Anice Hoachlander, Hoachlander Davis Photography, LLC

Example of a classic exterior home design in Minneapolis

Shanna Wolf
Inspiration for a mid-sized country u-shaped linoleum floor and brown floor enclosed kitchen remodel in Milwaukee with a farmhouse sink, beaded inset cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and gray countertops