Set on a narrow hillside lot overlooking the San Francisco Bay in Point Richmond, California, Bay Heirloom is a Mid-Century Modern family home restored, modernized and adapted for contemporary living. Oriented south-southwest toward the Marin Headlands, with views of the Golden Gate Bridge, the residence captures shifting Bay light throughout the day, from fog-muted mornings to vivid, glowing sunsets. The home was built by Karlyn Neel’s grandfather, the owner of the construction company Flo-Crete, one of the Bay Area’s early concrete pumping firms. Flo-Crete completed the foundation and structural concrete work, with family photographs documenting the original cinderblock walls and pours. The firm also contributed to major regional infrastructure projects, including the Transbay BART tube and Candlestick Park, situating the house within a broader legacy of Bay Area construction. Growing up, Neel spent considerable time in the home, developing an early appreciation for mid-century modern principles. Instead of parting with this family heirloom, she purchased the home from her grandfather’s estate. While her grandfather continued to live in the Point Richmond house, Neel purchased a Mid-Century Modern residence in Palm Desert. In contrast to the Bay Area’s cool temperatures, salt air, and persistent winds, the desert home is shaped by heat and sun and requires a different material response. A substantial renovation she led there emphasized thermal performance, filtered light, and restrained detailing. The experience later informed the restoration of her Bay Area family home. What began as a modest Mid-Century Modern update expanded when decades of exposure to marine conditions revealed leaks and significant structural and seismic deficiencies. Neel was determined to honor her grandfather’s perseverance and without hesitation pivoted to a much more intensive project. Addressing these challenges required close coordination between Neel, Klopf Architecture and Kasten Builders, with architectural restraint and construction precision guiding each intervention. Rather than alter the home’s defining features, the project focused on reinforcing the structure from within. Discreet beams were embedded along the rear facade and in an upstairs wall, strengthening the building while maximizing the wall of glass facing the Bay and opening the wall between the kitchen and the living space. These structural interventions allowed the space to open fully to the Bay without visual interruption, with the kitchen repositioned as the social and functional core of an open, continuous living space. The building envelope was updated using weather- and corrosion-resistant materials appropriate to the marine environment. The house unfolds vertically from the street, beginning with a modest garage level and workshop, with the main living spaces located below. Original slate flooring at the entry was preserved, along with select furnishings and artwork collected by Neel’s grandfather, anchoring the restored interior in its past. A restrained palette of black accents and pale, natural finishes replaces darker wood tones, reinforcing openness and calm. A naturally illuminated stair connects to the lowest level, where a former basement was transformed into a guest suite and family room opening onto a deck. From there, steps lead directly to a small concrete boat ramp at the water’s edge. Throughout the project, decisions were guided by continuity rather than transformation for its own sake. Lessons drawn from both desert and coastal climates informed a material strategy rooted in performance and restraint. Bay Heirloom stands as a measured evolution of a family house, structurally renewed and carefully modernized, grounded in the discipline and care that first shaped it. Klopf Architecture Project Team: John Klopf, AIA, Angela Todorova and Fernanda Bernardes Landscape Architect: Huettl Landscape Architecture General Contractor: Kasten Builders Photography: ©2025 Mariko Reed Year Completed: 2022 Location: Point Richmond, CA

Every remodeling project presents its own unique challenges. This client’s original remodel vision was to replace an outdated kitchen, optimize ocean views with new decking and windows, updated the mother-in-law’s suite, and add a new loft. But all this changed one historic day when the Woolsey Fire swept through Malibu in November 2018 and leveled this neighborhood, including our remodel, which was underway. Shifting to a ground-up design-build project, the JRP team worked closely with the homeowners through every step of designing, permitting, and building their new home. As avid horse owners, the redesign inspiration started with their love of rustic farmhouses and through the design process, turned into a more refined modern farmhouse reflected in the clean lines of white batten siding, and dark bronze metal roofing. Starting from scratch, the interior spaces were repositioned to take advantage of the ocean views from all the bedrooms, kitchen, and open living spaces. The kitchen features a stacked chiseled edge granite island with cement pendant fixtures and rugged concrete-look perimeter countertops. The tongue and groove ceiling is repeated on the stove hood for a perfectly coordinated style. A herringbone tile pattern lends visual contrast to the cooking area. The generous double-section kitchen sink features side-by-side faucets. Bi-fold doors and windows provide unobstructed sweeping views of the natural mountainside and ocean views. Opening the windows creates a perfect pass-through from the kitchen to outdoor entertaining. The expansive wrap-around decking creates the ideal space to gather for conversation and outdoor dining or soak in the California sunshine and the remarkable Pacific Ocean views.

Mountain style bathroom photo in DC Metro

Great remodel. We made the most of the small space by repositioning the appliances and raising the ceiling. Warm wood tones throughout tie the space together. Classic shaker style cabinets in a rich walnut tone along with contemporary glass mosaic backsplash and Silestone countertops pull together a fantastic kitchen.

Inspiration for a contemporary kitchen remodel in Baltimore

A fresh kitchen renovation in Magnolia that blends timeless charm with modern efficiency. We upgraded flooring and introduced durable engineered hardwood with in-floor heating. Custom, clean-lined cabinetry pairs with stainless appliances, stone accents, and a soft, neutral palette. Subtle layout tweaks like repositioned windows and optimized workflow invite more light and improve daily function. Ideal for those who love both aesthetic and everyday comfort.

We transformed an A-Frame home for a couple seeking more light and openness. By removing walls and repositioning the counter, we improved headspace and flow. Track lighting, sconces, and modern appliances added brightness, while maple flooring created warmth. We also installed a window-paneled door and custom slat walls to let natural light pour in, blending the indoors with nature and making the space feel airy and welcoming.

Overhaul Converts Classic Rambler to A Modern Yet Classic Family Home in Fairfax This 1970 rambler in middle of old town in Fairfax City has been home to a growing family of five. Ready for a massive overhaul, the family reached out to Michael Nash Design Build & Homes for assistance. Eligible for a special Fairfax City Renaissance program, this project was awarded special attention and favorable financing. We removed the entire roof and added a bump up, second story three-bedroom, two bathroom and loft addition. The main level was reformatted to eliminate the smallest bedroom and split the space among adjacent bedroom and the main living room. The partition walls between the living room and dining room and the partition wall between dining room and kitchen were eliminated, making space for a new enlarged kitchen. The outside brick chimney was rebuilt and extended to pass into the new second floor roof lines. Flu lines for heater and furnace were eliminated. A furnace was added in the new attic space for second floor heating and cooling, while a new hot water heater and furnace was re-positioned and installed in the basement. Second floor was furnished with its own laundry room. A new stairway to the second floor was designed and built were furnace chase used to be, opening up into a loft area for a kids study or gaming area. The master bedroom suite includes a large walk-in closet, large stoned shower, slip-free standing tub, separate commode area, double vanities and more amenities. A kid’s bathroom was built in the middle of upstairs hallway. The exterior of this home was wrapped around with cement board siding, maintenance free trims and gutters, and life time architectural shingles. Added to a new front porch were Trex boards and stone and tapered style columns. Double staircase entrance from front and side yard made this residence a stand out home of the community. This remodeled two-story colonial home with its country style front porch, five bedrooms, four and half bathrooms and second floor laundry room, will be this family’s home for many years to come. Happier than before, this family moved back into this Extreme Makeover Home to love every inch of their new home.

Every remodeling project presents its own unique challenges. This client’s original remodel vision was to replace an outdated kitchen, optimize ocean views with new decking and windows, updated the mother-in-law’s suite, and add a new loft. But all this changed one historic day when the Woolsey Fire swept through Malibu in November 2018 and leveled this neighborhood, including our remodel, which was underway. Shifting to a ground-up design-build project, the JRP team worked closely with the homeowners through every step of designing, permitting, and building their new home. As avid horse owners, the redesign inspiration started with their love of rustic farmhouses and through the design process, turned into a more refined modern farmhouse reflected in the clean lines of white batten siding, and dark bronze metal roofing. Starting from scratch, the interior spaces were repositioned to take advantage of the ocean views from all the bedrooms, kitchen, and open living spaces. The kitchen features a stacked chiseled edge granite island with cement pendant fixtures and rugged concrete-look perimeter countertops. The tongue and groove ceiling is repeated on the stove hood for a perfectly coordinated style. A herringbone tile pattern lends visual contrast to the cooking area. The generous double-section kitchen sink features side-by-side faucets. Bi-fold doors and windows provide unobstructed sweeping views of the natural mountainside and ocean views. Opening the windows creates a perfect pass-through from the kitchen to outdoor entertaining. The expansive wrap-around decking creates the ideal space to gather for conversation and outdoor dining or soak in the California sunshine and the remarkable Pacific Ocean views.

Oftentimes homeowners come to us with an idea of how they want to update their space. Through thoughtful discussion and truly understanding their needs, we develop the perfect plan together. The previous bathroom was burdened with a large jacuzzi tub, an outdated fiberglass shower, and limited open floor space. Our approach started with a simple shower and bath update and evolved into a complete reimagining of the bathroom. We prioritized fluidity and functionality, repositioning plumbing and overhauling the floor plan to create a space that seamlessly marries practicality with design impact. The new bathroom features a custom knotty alder vanity with toe kick lighting and a sleek quartz countertop. Above, a defogging LED-lit mirror with touch screen controls adds a modern element to the bright and minimal bathroom aesthetic. The new custom shower blends sophistication with accessibility. Simple yet elegant porcelain fluted tiles and glass partitions frame the space, with a low-threshold entrance and strategically placed grab bars to support accessibility. Inside, a custom product niche with cove lighting adds both aesthetic appeal and functionality. In the end, the reimagined bathroom thoughtfully aligns the homeowner's lifestyle and design preferences.

This full home renovation on White Meadow Lake in Rockaway, NJ completely transformed the heart of the home. We reimagined the kitchen layout - repositioning the island to capture stunning lake views and relocating the range to the perimeter for better flow and function. What was once a pass-through to the side door is now a beautifully integrated pantry, maximizing both storage and usability.

This kitchen remodel focused on improving both function and style—and the difference is in the details. We installed new cabinetry in a Polar White finish using the Catalina door style, creating a clean, timeless foundation that instantly brightens the space. To make the kitchen work better day-to-day, we also repositioned the refrigerator to the opposite side, improving the overall flow and usability of the layout. For the finishing touches, we added a Punaluu quartz countertop, bringing in subtle movement and durability, along with a 3x6 gloss Arctic White subway tile backsplash that reflects light and keeps the look crisp and cohesive. The result is a kitchen that not only looks fresh and updated, but functions better for how the space is used every day.

Complete gut for this kitchen. Repositioned and enlarged the island. Furniture like cabinetry with three color tones, white, maple, and espresso. Chevron backsplash with it's own unique layout.

Overhaul Converts Classic Rambler to A Modern Yet Classic Family Home in Fairfax This 1970 rambler in middle of old town in Fairfax City has been home to a growing family of five. Ready for a massive overhaul, the family reached out to Michael Nash Design Build & Homes for assistance. Eligible for a special Fairfax City Renaissance program, this project was awarded special attention and favorable financing. We removed the entire roof and added a bump up, second story three-bedroom, two bathroom and loft addition. The main level was reformatted to eliminate the smallest bedroom and split the space among adjacent bedroom and the main living room. The partition walls between the living room and dining room and the partition wall between dining room and kitchen were eliminated, making space for a new enlarged kitchen. The outside brick chimney was rebuilt and extended to pass into the new second floor roof lines. Flu lines for heater and furnace were eliminated. A furnace was added in the new attic space for second floor heating and cooling, while a new hot water heater and furnace was re-positioned and installed in the basement. Second floor was furnished with its own laundry room. A new stairway to the second floor was designed and built were furnace chase used to be, opening up into a loft area for a kids study or gaming area. The master bedroom suite includes a large walk-in closet, large stoned shower, slip-free standing tub, separate commode area, double vanities and more amenities. A kid’s bathroom was built in the middle of upstairs hallway. The exterior of this home was wrapped around with cement board siding, maintenance free trims and gutters, and life time architectural shingles. Added to a new front porch were Trex boards and stone and tapered style columns. Double staircase entrance from front and side yard made this residence a stand out home of the community. This remodeled two-story colonial home with its country style front porch, five bedrooms, four and half bathrooms and second floor laundry room, will be this family’s home for many years to come. Happier than before, this family moved back into this Extreme Makeover Home to love every inch of their new home.

There were a few difficulties in making this kitchen any better than how it was. There was a separate staircase that had access to the second floor which was located in the kitchen. This left just enough room to push the dining room to one side. Then, there was the porch. A really nice panoramic view of the back, but was somehow under-used by the family during the summer months. Then, it was the size of the kitchen. It simply was way too small for a growing family, and while it had a peninsular in place, the flow just didn’t work. I remember watching them one day demonstrating how awkward it was using the kitchen. We got it! We had our marching orders to go and figure out how to make this kitchen work for this family. Everything in the room was fair play. The design was done to make the kitchen very open. For a few ideas, we incorporated the porch in the kitchen by using the nana wall idea but it ended up being too cost prohibitive to do so. We then decided to do a permanent fix by using a commercial glass wall application. Once we figured that out, we moved back inside and removed the staircase. This gave us two added benefits. One allowed us to really reconfigure the kitchen and the other opened up the second floor for a huge built in closet system. We relocated the windows, added a fire place with a built In TV above. From there, it was onto the kitchen itself which contained a huge Island with seating, large kitchen sink and built in appliances which was set up in a way to take advantage of the new layout. We re-positioned the kitchen facing the beautiful views outside rather than looking towards a wall. Now, when you enter the house up the entry stairs, the kitchen now draws you into the magnificent new open space. This is now setup for entertaining, relaxation, hanging out and most of all, preparing meals in a room where you only have to leave if you want to. This one was all about the design. Design was what made this space. Setting this space up for success was crucial, and this kitchen is a great example of how design can cover a multitude of sins in Kitchen designs. … Just close your eyes for a second and imagine waking up one winter morning and having a cup of coffee and watching the snow fall through those huge windows, leaning up against those 3D feature walls while watching the kids sitting around the table enjoying those warm radiant heated floors in this spacious kitchen…..

A leather swivel barrel chairs with cowhide accents offers a unique fusion of sophistication and rustic flair. The swivel feature enhances versatility, allowing for effortless repositioning to suit various seating arrangements. The barrel design provides enveloping comfort, while the cowhide accents add a touch of natural charm and individuality. Perfect for adding a statement piece to any room, this chair blends luxury and ruggedness seamlessly, making it a stylish and functional addition to your home.

This thoughtful kitchen transition involved removing walls to enlarge the space, re-positioning appliances, updating cabinets, countertops, backsplash, paint, and fixtures.

Complete gut for this kitchen. Repositioned and enlarged the island. Furniture like cabinetry with three color tones, white, maple, and espresso. Chevron backsplash with it's own unique layout.