Search results for "Restoration process" in Home Design Ideas
Klopf Architecture
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
Klopf Architecture
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
The Marble Doctor, VA LLCThe After picture of a beautiful floor brought back to a Better Then New condition! We also performed grout cleaning to the epoxy grout and the floor looked brand new. Such a beautiful stone to work with. Our natural polishing compound allows for no odors and can be walked on during and immediately following the process.
Find the right local pro for your project
Klopf Architecture
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
Klopf Architecture
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
Environmental Solutions Services(ESS)These dryers are facing the most saturated area of the room.
Home design - traditional home design idea in DC Metro
Home design - traditional home design idea in DC Metro
AirField Systems, LLCAirField installed an AirPave grass fire lane for their porous flexible paving at Baptist Trinity Residential Hospice, creating a beautiful, functional, ecological friendly solution to facility access.
An installation of an AirField Systems grass fire lane at Baptist Trinity Residential Hospice brings green building benefits and incredible strength to a beautiful new facility. A time lapse photo series highlight the installation process of the 6,747 PSI sand filled 100% recycled geocell technology, providing the strength of asphalt and concrete while relieving some of the burden of costly storm sewers and drainage.
This new installation highlights the benefits of paving with grass, as well as the comparative ease of installation. Concrete and asphalt surfaces occupy twice the area of buildings and are the most detrimental to clean water. Concrete and asphalt surfaces dominate the landscape of our urban environments and prevent rainwater from being filtered naturally. They send harmful polluted water straight into our streams, rivers and lakes. In urban America, concrete and asphalt pavements produce two thirds of our excess water runoff. They are responsible for significant hydrocarbon pollutants on our ground and in our water, causing ground water decline, and resulting in local water shortages. These concrete and asphalt surfaces also create huge increases in temperature known as the urban “heat island effect”.
The pollution caused by impervious surfaces deteriorate the quality of our storm water runoff and create large overflows that our storm sewer systems cannot handle. It is also important to realize that the urban forest force is drastically diminishing, causing CO2 levels to rise, which in turn causes global warming. With all the negative influences of impervious pavements now is the time to turn our attention to alternatives for the benefit of the environment.
From fire lanes, overflow, and event parking, to temporary and stadium parking, reinforced grass parking systems deliver the same strength and durability of asphalt and concrete without the negative affects mentioned above. These incredibly strong geocells reinforce grass parking, prevent rutting from traffic, protect turf roots, and promote beautiful grass. Reinforced grass parking structures, also know as grass pavements, enhance the environment by naturally filtering auto and truck liquids such as oil drippings, antifreeze overflows and many other leaks and spills. They also help with air pollutants after they have been knocked to the ground by rainwater and greatly reduce hot surface temperatures thus fighting global warming and the “heat island effect”. Grass pavements allow our groundwater to be naturally replenished, the roots of trees to breathe, and they help our streams and rivers flow cleanly in dry hot summers. A large part of the solution to urban environmental problems is under our feet. By paying appropriate attention to the everyday materials on which we walk and drive, we can replenish renewable resources, restore the natural regenerative processes, and produce a cleaner, healthier, safer, more sustainable world in which we must live. Porous pavements are potentially the most important development in urban watersheds since the invention of storm sewers. By routing rainwater directly into the earth as nature intended, the need for costly storm water structures can be drastically reduced.
Reinforced grass parking has built in permeable spaces through which water and air can pass. Although some porous paving materials are nearly indistinguishable from nonporous materials in construction and superficial appearance, their environmental effects are qualitatively exponential. They allow air, water and heat to dissipate into the environment naturally helping to save the planet.
AirField reinforced grass parking provides beauty and comfort, and with the unbeatable price and performance of AirDrain you can’t go wrong. AirDrain is the reinforced grass pave system the industry has trusted for years !!!
Airfield Systems, LLC 8028 North May Avenue Oklahoma City, OK 73120 405-359-3775
Installer – GREENPRO Landscapes Kevin James 9847 Stewart Rd Arlington, TN 38002
Sponsored
Columbus, OH
Hope Restoration & General Contracting
Columbus Design-Build, Kitchen & Bath Remodeling, Historic Renovations
Klopf Architecture
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
Klopf Architecture
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
Legendary Escapes PoolsThe Legendary Rockstar Pool Build — A Backyard Concert Venue and Custom Swimming Pool
The Rockstar Pool is one of the most ambitious, imaginative, and large-scale residential pool builds ever completed by Legendary Escapes. Designed and built by Al Curtis, this project was created for a homeowner whose entire life revolves around performance, music, and living boldly.
This is far more than a swimming pool.
It is a backyard concert venue, a sculpted grotto, a hot tub, a swim-up bar, a VIP lounge, a performance platform, and a fully engineered artistic environment built as a single cohesive experience.
A Client With a True Rockstar Life
The homeowner’s request was simple in spirit but extraordinary in scale: create a pool environment that matched a life centered on creativity and performance. His background includes jousting at the Michigan Renaissance Festival, on-stage theatrical work, a home rebuilt around music and entertainment, and longstanding connections within the rock world. With a 16-acre horse farm and a passion for bold design, he needed a pool that reflected his personality.
His project requirements included a grotto, waterfall, hot tub, swim-up bar, performance area, and multiple lounging zones. Every feature had to feel original, dramatic, and purposeful.
The Design Vision
Designer and builder Al Curtis immediately recognized that this build needed to be expansive, theatrical, and seamlessly integrated into the landscape. The pool needed to make a statement without obstructing panoramic views of the surrounding farm and open sky.
The spark for the design came from an unexpected source: steel grates salvaged from an old carnival tilt-a-whirl ride. This inspired the concept of a floating performance stage built over the pool. What began as a small idea quickly grew into a large-scale platform complete with a concrete stage, integrated lighting, waterfalls, backstage areas, and custom metalwork. As the stage expanded, so did the pool, the patio, and the entire environment—ultimately transforming the backyard into a private amphitheater.
Repurposed Materials Used as Art
Legendary Escapes is known for incorporating reclaimed materials into artistic, sculptural pool environments. This project includes an extraordinary collection of repurposed components:
Tilt-a-whirl steel used as the main stage structure
Carnival flooring panels transformed into large fire-feature guitars
Trumpet and trombone bells refitted as lighting fixtures
Reclaimed street lamps custom-painted for poolside lighting
3D-printed album covers used as illuminated wall panels
Concrete replicas of Marshall speakers integrated under the stage
Every material was selected to bring character, history, and energy to the space.
Artistic Features and Highlights
The Rockstar Pool includes numerous custom artistic elements, such as:
A ten-foot mosaic “album cover” inset into the pool floor
Eight-foot sculpted guitars along the fence line
Guitar-shaped fire features
Backlit album panels positioned just above the water
A “Rockstar” sign paired with sculpted concrete amplifier towers
A VIP seating area built from restored tilt-a-whirl ride cars
Every corner of the environment contains layered artistic details.
Engineering Challenges and Solutions
Creating a fully functional concert stage over the deep end of the pool required extensive planning and engineering. Key complexities included:
Designing a safe, weight-bearing steel and concrete stage structure
Adjusting stage elevation mid-build to achieve optimal height
Installing three complete filtration systems concealed beneath the stage
Applying ecoFinish throughout the pool, spa, and grotto
Rebuilding existing decking and integrating a three-story observation tower
Ensuring the massive pool structure preserved the property’s sightlines
The technical demands of this project were matched only by the creative vision behind it.
The Legendary Team
This build was completed by a multi-generational team of craftsmen and artists, including:
Al Curtis – Designer and builder
Jesse Curtis – Project manager and construction artist
Mark Curtis – Filtration systems and plumbing
Annie Curtis – Stonework and water features
Karen Olson – Tile, stonework, and patio murals
Frank DiPiazza – Structural construction and decking
Brendan Schafer – On-site support and maintenance
dbaker designs – Custom mosaic creation
Daren Baker – Custom metal guitars and lighting elements
Each contributor played a critical role in shaping the final environment.
A Client Who Trusted the Process
As with many Legendary Escapes projects, this build evolved organically. The homeowner provided inspiration and trust, allowing the team to respond to the evolving environment. Several features—including the guitar fence, fire elements, and VIP seating area—were conceived and built during the process as the design revealed new opportunities.
The Final Result
The Rockstar Pool is now a fully functional concert venue, swimming pool, artistic installation, and outdoor living space. It is dramatic, expressive, engineered with care, and truly one-of-a-kind. This project reflects the homeowner’s personality and passion, and stands as one of the most ambitious designs ever produced by Legendary Escapes.
Legendary Escapes PoolsThe Legendary Rockstar Pool Build — A Backyard Concert Venue and Custom Swimming Pool
The Rockstar Pool is one of the most ambitious, imaginative, and large-scale residential pool builds ever completed by Legendary Escapes. Designed and built by Al Curtis, this project was created for a homeowner whose entire life revolves around performance, music, and living boldly.
This is far more than a swimming pool.
It is a backyard concert venue, a sculpted grotto, a hot tub, a swim-up bar, a VIP lounge, a performance platform, and a fully engineered artistic environment built as a single cohesive experience.
A Client With a True Rockstar Life
The homeowner’s request was simple in spirit but extraordinary in scale: create a pool environment that matched a life centered on creativity and performance. His background includes jousting at the Michigan Renaissance Festival, on-stage theatrical work, a home rebuilt around music and entertainment, and longstanding connections within the rock world. With a 16-acre horse farm and a passion for bold design, he needed a pool that reflected his personality.
His project requirements included a grotto, waterfall, hot tub, swim-up bar, performance area, and multiple lounging zones. Every feature had to feel original, dramatic, and purposeful.
The Design Vision
Designer and builder Al Curtis immediately recognized that this build needed to be expansive, theatrical, and seamlessly integrated into the landscape. The pool needed to make a statement without obstructing panoramic views of the surrounding farm and open sky.
The spark for the design came from an unexpected source: steel grates salvaged from an old carnival tilt-a-whirl ride. This inspired the concept of a floating performance stage built over the pool. What began as a small idea quickly grew into a large-scale platform complete with a concrete stage, integrated lighting, waterfalls, backstage areas, and custom metalwork. As the stage expanded, so did the pool, the patio, and the entire environment—ultimately transforming the backyard into a private amphitheater.
Repurposed Materials Used as Art
Legendary Escapes is known for incorporating reclaimed materials into artistic, sculptural pool environments. This project includes an extraordinary collection of repurposed components:
Tilt-a-whirl steel used as the main stage structure
Carnival flooring panels transformed into large fire-feature guitars
Trumpet and trombone bells refitted as lighting fixtures
Reclaimed street lamps custom-painted for poolside lighting
3D-printed album covers used as illuminated wall panels
Concrete replicas of Marshall speakers integrated under the stage
Every material was selected to bring character, history, and energy to the space.
Artistic Features and Highlights
The Rockstar Pool includes numerous custom artistic elements, such as:
A ten-foot mosaic “album cover” inset into the pool floor
Eight-foot sculpted guitars along the fence line
Guitar-shaped fire features
Backlit album panels positioned just above the water
A “Rockstar” sign paired with sculpted concrete amplifier towers
A VIP seating area built from restored tilt-a-whirl ride cars
Every corner of the environment contains layered artistic details.
Engineering Challenges and Solutions
Creating a fully functional concert stage over the deep end of the pool required extensive planning and engineering. Key complexities included:
Designing a safe, weight-bearing steel and concrete stage structure
Adjusting stage elevation mid-build to achieve optimal height
Installing three complete filtration systems concealed beneath the stage
Applying ecoFinish throughout the pool, spa, and grotto
Rebuilding existing decking and integrating a three-story observation tower
Ensuring the massive pool structure preserved the property’s sightlines
The technical demands of this project were matched only by the creative vision behind it.
The Legendary Team
This build was completed by a multi-generational team of craftsmen and artists, including:
Al Curtis – Designer and builder
Jesse Curtis – Project manager and construction artist
Mark Curtis – Filtration systems and plumbing
Annie Curtis – Stonework and water features
Karen Olson – Tile, stonework, and patio murals
Frank DiPiazza – Structural construction and decking
Brendan Schafer – On-site support and maintenance
dbaker designs – Custom mosaic creation
Daren Baker – Custom metal guitars and lighting elements
Each contributor played a critical role in shaping the final environment.
A Client Who Trusted the Process
As with many Legendary Escapes projects, this build evolved organically. The homeowner provided inspiration and trust, allowing the team to respond to the evolving environment. Several features—including the guitar fence, fire elements, and VIP seating area—were conceived and built during the process as the design revealed new opportunities.
The Final Result
The Rockstar Pool is now a fully functional concert venue, swimming pool, artistic installation, and outdoor living space. It is dramatic, expressive, engineered with care, and truly one-of-a-kind. This project reflects the homeowner’s personality and passion, and stands as one of the most ambitious designs ever produced by Legendary Escapes.
Windy City PaintersDoes your iron fence look like Chicago winters have been winning the battle for years? That slow orange spread across pickets and rails is not just an eyesore - it is active corrosion undermining the structural integrity of metalwork that frames some of Chicago's most architecturally significant residential properties. Windy City Painters addresses iron fence rust at the source, using professional-grade rust conversion chemistry and direct-to-metal coatings engineered for the specific abuse Chicago's climate delivers.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
This project involved a heavily rusted ornamental iron fence on a Chicago North Side residential property. Rust had progressed beyond surface oxidation into moderate pitting on lower rails, a pattern Windy City Painters sees frequently on properties within blocks of treated roadways where salt drift accelerates corrosion. The scope included mechanical descaling, chemical rust conversion, DTM priming, and a durable gloss topcoat matched to the original fence color.
MATERIALS AND PRODUCTS
Ospho Rust Converter: A phosphoric acid-based treatment that chemically reacts with iron oxide, converting it to iron phosphate - a stable, paintable compound. Corroseal Water-Based Rust Converter is an alternative for situations requiring lower VOC handling. Rust-Oleum Professional DTM Primer and Sherwin-Williams DTM Acrylic Coating serve as the primary coating system, formulated for direct metal adhesion with built-in rust inhibitors. For structurally compromised sections, welding is coordinated before any chemical or coating work begins.
THE PROCESS
Step 1 - Mechanical Preparation: Wire wheel grinding on an angle grinder removes loose rust scale, mill scale, and flaking paint. For advanced pitting, Windy City Painters deploys a needle gun descaler, which impacts the metal surface thousands of times per minute to drive scale from deep cavities. This step determines whether the fence can be coated or needs welding first.
Step 2 - Chemical Rust Conversion: Ospho or Corroseal is brushed onto all remaining rust surface. These products do not simply seal rust - they react with it. The conversion process takes 24 hours to fully cure before topcoating. Skipping this step is the single most common reason iron fence paint jobs fail prematurely.
Step 3 - DTM Priming: Sherwin-Williams DTM or Rust-Oleum DTM primer is applied by brush to ensure full penetration around decorative elements, picket tips, and weld joints. Spray application is used on open sections for even film build. DTM formulations bond directly to prepared metal without a separate shop primer.
Step 4 - Finish Coating: A DTM topcoat in gloss or semi-gloss provides the final weather barrier. Gloss is preferred for iron fencing because the harder surface sheds water more effectively and resists dirt adhesion between maintenance cycles. Windy City Painters applies two finish coats for maximum film thickness.
CHICAGO-SPECIFIC CHALLENGES
Chicago's freeze-thaw cycle is the primary enemy of iron fence coatings. Water infiltrates micro-cracks in paint film, freezes, expands, and delaminate coating from beneath. Properties on the North Side and Near West Side also contend with lake-effect humidity that keeps metal surfaces damp for extended periods, slowing cure times and promoting under-film corrosion if preparation is inadequate. Greystones and Victorian brownstones typically feature ornate cast iron or wrought iron fencing with complex geometries that trap moisture and demand hand-brush application to fully coat recesses.
WHAT TO EXPECT LONG-TERM
A properly prepared and coated iron fence in Chicago should hold 5-8 years before requiring recoating. Annual inspection of weld joints, picket tips, and base rails closest to grade will identify early rust return. Addressing small spots with touch-up converter and primer extends service life significantly between full recoats.
PRO TIPS
Tip 1: Never pressure wash a rusted iron fence immediately before painting. Water drives moisture into pits and delays the surface drying needed for chemical converter adhesion. Allow 48 hours of dry weather before prep begins.
Tip 2: Picket tips and rail ends are the first failure points. These end-grain equivalent areas on metal concentrate corrosion. Ask your painter to apply an extra brush coat to every tip and terminus.
Tip 3: Black is the traditional and most durable color choice for iron fencing. Dark pigments absorb UV rather than reflecting it, reducing thermal cycling stress on the paint film at color change boundaries.
FAQ
Q: What does iron fence painting cost in Chicago?
A: Most residential iron fence painting in Chicago ranges from $400 to $1,200 depending on linear footage, rust severity, prep method required, and whether structural welding is needed before Windy City Painters can coat the surface.
Q: How do I know if my fence needs a welder before painting?
A: If you can press a screwdriver through a rail or picket, the metal wall has failed. Windy City Painters inspects all fencing before quoting and identifies weld-required sections so repairs happen before any coating investment.
Q: Is Ospho or Corroseal better for my fence?
A: Both convert rust effectively. Ospho is solvent-based and fast-acting, preferred for heavy rust. Corroseal is water-based with lower odor, preferred in enclosed or residential settings where off-gassing is a concern. Windy City Painters selects based on site conditions.
Q: Can iron fence painting be done in winter in Chicago?
A: Application requires temperatures above 50 degrees Fahrenheit for DTM coatings to cure properly. Most iron fence painting in Chicago runs April through October, with scheduling flexibility based on extended warm stretches.
Q: How do I maintain my fence between professional recoats?
A: Inspect annually in spring. Sand any rust spots to bare metal with 80-grit paper, apply Ospho, let cure 24 hours, then spot-prime with DTM primer and touch up with finish coat. Windy City Painters offers maintenance inspections.
Q: Do you paint courtyard building fences and coach house gates?
A: Yes. Multi-unit courtyard buildings and coach houses are common in the North Side neighborhoods Windy City Painters serves. We coordinate with property managers and HOAs for larger perimeter fence projects.
Q: How long after painting can I touch the fence?
A: DTM coatings are typically dry to touch in 2-4 hours and hard dry in 24 hours. Full cure for maximum hardness takes 7 days. Windy City Painters advises against pressure washing or heavy contact during that cure window.
Visit windypainters.com to request your free iron fence assessment and project quote.
G&G Reglazing NYCShown here is a bathtub reglazing project for a client in Brooklyn. The old porcelain tub was discolored and difficult to clean. Through bath refinishing, we restored the smooth surface and brought back its shine. Our reglazing process includes surface preparation, chip repair, and application of a high-gloss coating. This makes the bathtub look new at a fraction of the replacement cost. Bath refinishing also extends the life of your tub for years. The finished result is a clean, modern look that matches the updated bathroom décor while avoiding the hassle and expense of a full renovation project.
Sponsored
Columbus, OH
Hope Restoration & General Contracting
Columbus Design-Build, Kitchen & Bath Remodeling, Historic Renovations
180 RENOVATIONSThis deck staining project in Wichita, Kansas was completed to restore and protect an outdoor deck that had begun to fade and wear from constant exposure to the elements. Over time, sunlight, moisture, and seasonal changes can break down untreated wood, leading to discoloration, surface damage, and reduced durability.
At 180 Renovations, we focus on proper preparation to ensure long-lasting results. The deck was thoroughly cleaned and prepped to allow the stain to fully absorb into the wood for even coverage and maximum protection. We then applied a professional-grade stain designed to enhance the natural look of the deck while creating a protective barrier against UV exposure, moisture, and everyday use. The result is a refreshed, uniform finish that improves both appearance and longevity.
Routine deck staining is essential for maintaining the strength and lifespan of any outdoor structure. This project demonstrates how the right process can bring a deck back to life while protecting it for years to come. If your deck is fading, weathered, or overdue for maintenance, 180 Renovations provides reliable deck staining services in Wichita, Kansas. Contact us today to get started.
GappsiNicolock oyster blend rustico pavers being sealed in Huntington NY 11743. The sealing process begins with pressure washing the entire patio, removing all dirt/debris from the stone surface and in between the joints. Next, Nexgel Techniseal synthetic sand is applied in between the pavers joints and vibrated with a mechanical plate compactor. The plate compactor has rubber rollers to prevent the stones from cracking or scratching. This vibrating process allows the sand to fall in between the joints and density. Then, we clean the pavers with brooms and landscape blowers, to clean the excess sand from the pavers surface and to evenly spread the sand in between the pavers joints. The next step is to wash the pavers by misting water to penetrate the synthetic sand into the paver joints all the way down below the pavers. The sand and water activate a chemical reaction of the pollen that’s in the sand to cause the sand to harden. Finally, the application of the sealer, two parts components urethane dealer, specially formulated for Gappsi, is applied to the pavers surface and the sand joints to prevent stones from staining, extend their life cycle and further enhance their texture, color, and surface. Call Gappsi at 631-543-1177 for any cleaning, sealing, paver driveways/patio restoration and repairs in Huntington Bay NY.
Legendary Escapes PoolsThe Legendary Rockstar Pool Build — A Backyard Concert Venue and Custom Swimming Pool
The Rockstar Pool is one of the most ambitious, imaginative, and large-scale residential pool builds ever completed by Legendary Escapes. Designed and built by Al Curtis, this project was created for a homeowner whose entire life revolves around performance, music, and living boldly.
This is far more than a swimming pool.
It is a backyard concert venue, a sculpted grotto, a hot tub, a swim-up bar, a VIP lounge, a performance platform, and a fully engineered artistic environment built as a single cohesive experience.
A Client With a True Rockstar Life
The homeowner’s request was simple in spirit but extraordinary in scale: create a pool environment that matched a life centered on creativity and performance. His background includes jousting at the Michigan Renaissance Festival, on-stage theatrical work, a home rebuilt around music and entertainment, and longstanding connections within the rock world. With a 16-acre horse farm and a passion for bold design, he needed a pool that reflected his personality.
His project requirements included a grotto, waterfall, hot tub, swim-up bar, performance area, and multiple lounging zones. Every feature had to feel original, dramatic, and purposeful.
The Design Vision
Designer and builder Al Curtis immediately recognized that this build needed to be expansive, theatrical, and seamlessly integrated into the landscape. The pool needed to make a statement without obstructing panoramic views of the surrounding farm and open sky.
The spark for the design came from an unexpected source: steel grates salvaged from an old carnival tilt-a-whirl ride. This inspired the concept of a floating performance stage built over the pool. What began as a small idea quickly grew into a large-scale platform complete with a concrete stage, integrated lighting, waterfalls, backstage areas, and custom metalwork. As the stage expanded, so did the pool, the patio, and the entire environment—ultimately transforming the backyard into a private amphitheater.
Repurposed Materials Used as Art
Legendary Escapes is known for incorporating reclaimed materials into artistic, sculptural pool environments. This project includes an extraordinary collection of repurposed components:
Tilt-a-whirl steel used as the main stage structure
Carnival flooring panels transformed into large fire-feature guitars
Trumpet and trombone bells refitted as lighting fixtures
Reclaimed street lamps custom-painted for poolside lighting
3D-printed album covers used as illuminated wall panels
Concrete replicas of Marshall speakers integrated under the stage
Every material was selected to bring character, history, and energy to the space.
Artistic Features and Highlights
The Rockstar Pool includes numerous custom artistic elements, such as:
A ten-foot mosaic “album cover” inset into the pool floor
Eight-foot sculpted guitars along the fence line
Guitar-shaped fire features
Backlit album panels positioned just above the water
A “Rockstar” sign paired with sculpted concrete amplifier towers
A VIP seating area built from restored tilt-a-whirl ride cars
Every corner of the environment contains layered artistic details.
Engineering Challenges and Solutions
Creating a fully functional concert stage over the deep end of the pool required extensive planning and engineering. Key complexities included:
Designing a safe, weight-bearing steel and concrete stage structure
Adjusting stage elevation mid-build to achieve optimal height
Installing three complete filtration systems concealed beneath the stage
Applying ecoFinish throughout the pool, spa, and grotto
Rebuilding existing decking and integrating a three-story observation tower
Ensuring the massive pool structure preserved the property’s sightlines
The technical demands of this project were matched only by the creative vision behind it.
The Legendary Team
This build was completed by a multi-generational team of craftsmen and artists, including:
Al Curtis – Designer and builder
Jesse Curtis – Project manager and construction artist
Mark Curtis – Filtration systems and plumbing
Annie Curtis – Stonework and water features
Karen Olson – Tile, stonework, and patio murals
Frank DiPiazza – Structural construction and decking
Brendan Schafer – On-site support and maintenance
dbaker designs – Custom mosaic creation
Daren Baker – Custom metal guitars and lighting elements
Each contributor played a critical role in shaping the final environment.
A Client Who Trusted the Process
As with many Legendary Escapes projects, this build evolved organically. The homeowner provided inspiration and trust, allowing the team to respond to the evolving environment. Several features—including the guitar fence, fire elements, and VIP seating area—were conceived and built during the process as the design revealed new opportunities.
The Final Result
The Rockstar Pool is now a fully functional concert venue, swimming pool, artistic installation, and outdoor living space. It is dramatic, expressive, engineered with care, and truly one-of-a-kind. This project reflects the homeowner’s personality and passion, and stands as one of the most ambitious designs ever produced by Legendary Escapes.
Legendary Escapes PoolsThe Legendary Rockstar Pool Build — A Backyard Concert Venue and Custom Swimming Pool
The Rockstar Pool is one of the most ambitious, imaginative, and large-scale residential pool builds ever completed by Legendary Escapes. Designed and built by Al Curtis, this project was created for a homeowner whose entire life revolves around performance, music, and living boldly.
This is far more than a swimming pool.
It is a backyard concert venue, a sculpted grotto, a hot tub, a swim-up bar, a VIP lounge, a performance platform, and a fully engineered artistic environment built as a single cohesive experience.
A Client With a True Rockstar Life
The homeowner’s request was simple in spirit but extraordinary in scale: create a pool environment that matched a life centered on creativity and performance. His background includes jousting at the Michigan Renaissance Festival, on-stage theatrical work, a home rebuilt around music and entertainment, and longstanding connections within the rock world. With a 16-acre horse farm and a passion for bold design, he needed a pool that reflected his personality.
His project requirements included a grotto, waterfall, hot tub, swim-up bar, performance area, and multiple lounging zones. Every feature had to feel original, dramatic, and purposeful.
The Design Vision
Designer and builder Al Curtis immediately recognized that this build needed to be expansive, theatrical, and seamlessly integrated into the landscape. The pool needed to make a statement without obstructing panoramic views of the surrounding farm and open sky.
The spark for the design came from an unexpected source: steel grates salvaged from an old carnival tilt-a-whirl ride. This inspired the concept of a floating performance stage built over the pool. What began as a small idea quickly grew into a large-scale platform complete with a concrete stage, integrated lighting, waterfalls, backstage areas, and custom metalwork. As the stage expanded, so did the pool, the patio, and the entire environment—ultimately transforming the backyard into a private amphitheater.
Repurposed Materials Used as Art
Legendary Escapes is known for incorporating reclaimed materials into artistic, sculptural pool environments. This project includes an extraordinary collection of repurposed components:
Tilt-a-whirl steel used as the main stage structure
Carnival flooring panels transformed into large fire-feature guitars
Trumpet and trombone bells refitted as lighting fixtures
Reclaimed street lamps custom-painted for poolside lighting
3D-printed album covers used as illuminated wall panels
Concrete replicas of Marshall speakers integrated under the stage
Every material was selected to bring character, history, and energy to the space.
Artistic Features and Highlights
The Rockstar Pool includes numerous custom artistic elements, such as:
A ten-foot mosaic “album cover” inset into the pool floor
Eight-foot sculpted guitars along the fence line
Guitar-shaped fire features
Backlit album panels positioned just above the water
A “Rockstar” sign paired with sculpted concrete amplifier towers
A VIP seating area built from restored tilt-a-whirl ride cars
Every corner of the environment contains layered artistic details.
Engineering Challenges and Solutions
Creating a fully functional concert stage over the deep end of the pool required extensive planning and engineering. Key complexities included:
Designing a safe, weight-bearing steel and concrete stage structure
Adjusting stage elevation mid-build to achieve optimal height
Installing three complete filtration systems concealed beneath the stage
Applying ecoFinish throughout the pool, spa, and grotto
Rebuilding existing decking and integrating a three-story observation tower
Ensuring the massive pool structure preserved the property’s sightlines
The technical demands of this project were matched only by the creative vision behind it.
The Legendary Team
This build was completed by a multi-generational team of craftsmen and artists, including:
Al Curtis – Designer and builder
Jesse Curtis – Project manager and construction artist
Mark Curtis – Filtration systems and plumbing
Annie Curtis – Stonework and water features
Karen Olson – Tile, stonework, and patio murals
Frank DiPiazza – Structural construction and decking
Brendan Schafer – On-site support and maintenance
dbaker designs – Custom mosaic creation
Daren Baker – Custom metal guitars and lighting elements
Each contributor played a critical role in shaping the final environment.
A Client Who Trusted the Process
As with many Legendary Escapes projects, this build evolved organically. The homeowner provided inspiration and trust, allowing the team to respond to the evolving environment. Several features—including the guitar fence, fire elements, and VIP seating area—were conceived and built during the process as the design revealed new opportunities.
The Final Result
The Rockstar Pool is now a fully functional concert venue, swimming pool, artistic installation, and outdoor living space. It is dramatic, expressive, engineered with care, and truly one-of-a-kind. This project reflects the homeowner’s personality and passion, and stands as one of the most ambitious designs ever produced by Legendary Escapes.
Sponsored
Columbus, OH
Hope Restoration & General Contracting
Columbus Design-Build, Kitchen & Bath Remodeling, Historic Renovations
Tile Doctor LtdThese are photos of a Victorian tiled floor we renovated at the new Scottish head office of the Peoples Postcode Lottery in the centre of Edinburgh City where the building was going through a multi million pound refurbishment. Edinburgh has a lot of Georgian and Victorian architecture, much of which is listed and as a result many still have original Victorian tiled flooring.
I’ve not really looked at the Postcode Lottery until now but put simply you give the lottery £10 a month and your postcode is your winning ticket number, there are prize draws every day and if your postcode comes up every one in the system with that postcode wins; they also give 31% to charity which is impressive.
You can see from the photograph that the floor was in good physical condition but was looking tired and dull. This is not unusual for Victorian tiles as once the sealer wears down dirt can penetrate into the pores of the tile causing it to lose its appearance.
On the first day we set about stripping the floor of what remained of the old sealant using a strong dilution of Tile Doctor Pro-Clean which is an industrial strength alkaline tile and grout cleaning product that is safe to use on Tile and Stone. The product is applied to the floor, left to soak in for ten minutes and the scrubbed into the tile using a black scrubbing pad fitted to a rotary bonnet machine. The floor was then rinsed and the now soiled cleaning solution extracted using a wet vacuum.
The process was repeated several times until we were happy the floor was clean and free of sealer and then given a final rinse with water. Before leaving for the day the floor was dried as much as possible using the wet vacuum to extract as much moisture as possible.
On the second day our first task was to check the floor with a damp meter in several places to ensure the tiles had dried off overnight. All was well and we began the process of sealing the floor with a Tile Doctor Seal and Go. This is a topical sealer which provides a high-quality low-sheen finish and protection against ingrained dirt and stains.
Victorian tiles are quite porous and five coats were needed to fully seal the floor. This took some time to complete as you have to wait until the first coat is dry before applying the next however it was well worth the effort as the floor looked fantastic afterwards.
Thomas Wilson
Edinburgh Tile Doctor
Affecting Spaces Design StudioThe photo depicts a beautifully renovated living room with a stunning original fireplace as the focal point. The fireplace has been maintained to retain its original charm and character, adding a touch of history and personality to the modern space.
The living room is bright and airy, with neutral walls and sleek, modern furnishings that create a harmonious balance with the traditional fireplace. The fireplace is made of stone and features the original hearth that adds to its timeless appeal.
The original features of the fireplace, such as the stone and hearth, have been carefully preserved during the renovation process. The stone has been cleaned and restored to its former glory, with its rich, earthy tones adding warmth and texture to the space.
Overall, the original fireplace adds character and personality to the newly renovated living room. It is a beautiful and timeless feature that has been carefully maintained to enhance the beauty and functionality of the space.
Tile Doctor LtdThe pictures below are of a multi coloured sandstone floor installed at a property in East Keswick which is a village approximately halfway between Harrogate and Leeds. (Not to be confused with the more famous Keswick in the Lake District)
The stone floor had not been cleaned professionally for ten years and although the grout looked clean It was clear that any sealer that was once present had long since worn off leaving the stone unprotected. The result was dirt had become deeply ingrained in the Sandstone leading causing the stone to darken and hide its true beauty and rich colouring. The client had tried lots of different products to clean the floor but had not had any luck.
I visited the property and carried out a few successful patch tests resulting in the floor becoming much cleaner. They were happy to go ahead with my quote and we arranged a time to return and complete the work.
I prepared the area before starting, taping up the skirting boards and doors to protect them from the splashing that can happen during the intensive cleaning process.
To get the sandstone clean I applied a medium dilution of Tile Doctor Pro-Clean to the floor and allowed it to soak in for ten minutes. The solution was then worked into the Sandstone using a rotary floor machine fitted with a black scrubbing pad. More Pro-Clean was applied with a hand-held scrubbing brush to get deep into the grout lines and to reach into the corners.
Once done the floor was rinsed with water and the soil extracted with a wet vacuum. The floor was inspected, and the process repeated until I was satisfied that the stone and grout had released all the trapped dirt. After a final rinse, the wet vacuum was used to get as much moisture out of the stone as possible and then the floor left to dry out fully overnight.
Returning the following morning, I first checked that the floor was dry using a damp meter. The sealer won’t cure if there is any moisture in the stone and I’ve been known to reschedule sealing a floor if the readings are too high. On this occasion I was satisfied that the floor was within acceptable levels, so I was ready to seal the floor.
I used three coats of Tile Doctor Colour Grow to seal the floor, this is an impregnating sealer which intensifies natural colours whilst providing durable protection against stains, an essential feature in an area such as a hallway which is subject to constant foot traffic.
As you can see from the photos the transformation was quite impressive, the floor became much lighter and almost unrecognisable, the natural colours of the stone were now visible, and the floor looked beautiful. The client was very happy with the end result and has said they would not hesitate to recommend me to others.
Nigel Stoker
North West Yorkshire Tile Doctor
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