Riad Tile
Bathroom - contemporary cement tile floor and pink floor bathroom idea in Santa Barbara

Custom Surface Solutions (www.css-tile.com) - Owner Craig Thompson (512) 430-1215. This project shows a complete remodel with before and after pictures including tub-to-shower conversion using DalTile L191 Chenille White Limestone with Arabesque mosaic, 4" x 12" plank herringbone floor, 8" x 22" plank wall tile. screen random mosaic shower ceiling and flat pebble shower floor. Kohler Kohler Poplin 36" Vanity Cabinet in Felt Grey quartz top and Kohler Purist Vibrant Bronze vanity and shower plumbing fixtures. Feiss Arabesque Silver Leaf Pendant Light and Hudson Valley Lighting Wylie wall sconces. Pottery Barn – Astor Beveled Mirror.

Our busy Silicon Valley clients asked us to convert their tight-quartered 1960’s ranch house to a gracious family home that would meet their long term needs. Ease of living was paramount, both in functionality and in ordered design. The project was completed on a moderate budget.While retaining most of the structure of the existing house to avoid costly structural changes, we opened walls to improve the sight lines and flow of the house and bring in more light. We made small additions at the front and back bedrooms to gain space for the family and relatives. An existing underused patio area was improved with a simple outdoor kitchen and overhang to extend the living space to the outside. Costs were kept down with choices of modest materials. Everything was made to be functional. Ample storage has been built into the right places. The details of the kitchen were carefully worked out to accommodate all the wishes of the various cooks in the family. The house is set up to be easy to keep clean. Acoustic walls separate living from bedroom spaces so adults can enjoy time together while children sleep. The outdoor kitchen has easy access to the indoor kitchen and the garage, and its setup promotes socializing while cooking outdoors. A large part of the narrow back yard was previously unusable space due to a steep slope up to a neighbor’s higher fence. With a new retaining wall and some re-grading we took back more of the yard for the patio and play space on a new lawn. The remodeled house is a mix of contemporary and traditional elements. Cool colors have a calming effect. Traditional items such as prairie style windows, trellis, mosaic tiles, and Shaker style cabinets, break down the scale in an otherwise streamlined, contemporary design. A new gabled roof with a broad arch at the front of the house marks the entry and resolves a challenging form where the central entry is set back from walls on both sides. Photography: Kurt Manley https://saikleyarchitects.com/portfolio/modern-ranch/

Our busy Silicon Valley clients asked us to convert their tight-quartered 1960’s ranch house to a gracious family home that would meet their long term needs. Ease of living was paramount, both in functionality and in ordered design. The project was completed on a moderate budget.While retaining most of the structure of the existing house to avoid costly structural changes, we opened walls to improve the sight lines and flow of the house and bring in more light. We made small additions at the front and back bedrooms to gain space for the family and relatives. An existing underused patio area was improved with a simple outdoor kitchen and overhang to extend the living space to the outside. Costs were kept down with choices of modest materials. Everything was made to be functional. Ample storage has been built into the right places. The details of the kitchen were carefully worked out to accommodate all the wishes of the various cooks in the family. The house is set up to be easy to keep clean. Acoustic walls separate living from bedroom spaces so adults can enjoy time together while children sleep. The outdoor kitchen has easy access to the indoor kitchen and the garage, and its setup promotes socializing while cooking outdoors. A large part of the narrow back yard was previously unusable space due to a steep slope up to a neighbor’s higher fence. With a new retaining wall and some re-grading we took back more of the yard for the patio and play space on a new lawn. The remodeled house is a mix of contemporary and traditional elements. Cool colors have a calming effect. Traditional items such as prairie style windows, trellis, mosaic tiles, and Shaker style cabinets, break down the scale in an otherwise streamlined, contemporary design. A new gabled roof with a broad arch at the front of the house marks the entry and resolves a challenging form where the central entry is set back from walls on both sides. Photography: Kurt Manley https://saikleyarchitects.com/portfolio/modern-ranch/

A traditional look and feel was required for this farmhouse full bath remodel. Period touches such as a Carrera marble basket weave floor tile design and Jado’s Savina pedestal sink maximized the visual impact of this bath originally built in the late 1800’s. 3”x6” White Subway tile walls contributed to the clean, simple, yet classic look and feel. Custom wood linen tower and framed medicine cabinet in painted white finish ensure plenty of personal storage and convenience yet provide a streamline appearance, keeping with the period of this lovely antique.

Detail of LED wall sconce with white glass tile background
Inspiration for a small contemporary kids' white tile and glass tile porcelain tile and gray floor alcove bathtub remodel in New York with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, a two-piece toilet, green walls and an integrated sink

Our busy Silicon Valley clients asked us to convert their tight-quartered 1960’s ranch house to a gracious family home that would meet their long term needs. Ease of living was paramount, both in functionality and in ordered design. The project was completed on a moderate budget.While retaining most of the structure of the existing house to avoid costly structural changes, we opened walls to improve the sight lines and flow of the house and bring in more light. We made small additions at the front and back bedrooms to gain space for the family and relatives. An existing underused patio area was improved with a simple outdoor kitchen and overhang to extend the living space to the outside. Costs were kept down with choices of modest materials. Everything was made to be functional. Ample storage has been built into the right places. The details of the kitchen were carefully worked out to accommodate all the wishes of the various cooks in the family. The house is set up to be easy to keep clean. Acoustic walls separate living from bedroom spaces so adults can enjoy time together while children sleep. The outdoor kitchen has easy access to the indoor kitchen and the garage, and its setup promotes socializing while cooking outdoors. A large part of the narrow back yard was previously unusable space due to a steep slope up to a neighbor’s higher fence. With a new retaining wall and some re-grading we took back more of the yard for the patio and play space on a new lawn. The remodeled house is a mix of contemporary and traditional elements. Cool colors have a calming effect. Traditional items such as prairie style windows, trellis, mosaic tiles, and Shaker style cabinets, break down the scale in an otherwise streamlined, contemporary design. A new gabled roof with a broad arch at the front of the house marks the entry and resolves a challenging form where the central entry is set back from walls on both sides. Photography: Kurt Manley https://saikleyarchitects.com/portfolio/modern-ranch/

At 19 Irving Avenue, the rear exterior and pool take on an entirely different character as evening falls—transforming from a study in geometry and light into something far more atmospheric and cinematic. 5 As daylight fades, the home begins to glow from within. Walls of glass shift from transparent to reflective, turning the interior into a softly illuminated backdrop against the darkening landscape. The architecture reveals itself in layers—lines, planes, and volumes highlighted by carefully balanced light. The pool becomes the focal point of the composition. Its geometric form is accentuated by subtle illumination, with reflections of the home shimmering across the water’s surface. The effect is almost mirror-like, doubling the architecture and creating a sense of depth that feels both calm and dramatic. The patio settles into a more intimate rhythm. What feels expansive during the day becomes quietly enclosed at night, defined by light rather than walls. It’s a space that invites slower moments—conversation, reflection, a glass of wine under the open sky—while still maintaining that seamless connection back to the interior. There’s a certain magic to it. In the evening, Eichler’s vision becomes even more apparent—not just in how the home looks, but in how it feels. The rear exterior and pool aren’t simply outdoor features; they become part of a larger sensory experience, where architecture, light, and atmosphere come together to create something timeless and deeply livable.

Our busy Silicon Valley clients asked us to convert their tight-quartered 1960’s ranch house to a gracious family home that would meet their long term needs. Ease of living was paramount, both in functionality and in ordered design. The project was completed on a moderate budget.While retaining most of the structure of the existing house to avoid costly structural changes, we opened walls to improve the sight lines and flow of the house and bring in more light. We made small additions at the front and back bedrooms to gain space for the family and relatives. An existing underused patio area was improved with a simple outdoor kitchen and overhang to extend the living space to the outside. Costs were kept down with choices of modest materials. Everything was made to be functional. Ample storage has been built into the right places. The details of the kitchen were carefully worked out to accommodate all the wishes of the various cooks in the family. The house is set up to be easy to keep clean. Acoustic walls separate living from bedroom spaces so adults can enjoy time together while children sleep. The outdoor kitchen has easy access to the indoor kitchen and the garage, and its setup promotes socializing while cooking outdoors. A large part of the narrow back yard was previously unusable space due to a steep slope up to a neighbor’s higher fence. With a new retaining wall and some re-grading we took back more of the yard for the patio and play space on a new lawn. The remodeled house is a mix of contemporary and traditional elements. Cool colors have a calming effect. Traditional items such as prairie style windows, trellis, mosaic tiles, and Shaker style cabinets, break down the scale in an otherwise streamlined, contemporary design. A new gabled roof with a broad arch at the front of the house marks the entry and resolves a challenging form where the central entry is set back from walls on both sides. Photography: Kurt Manley https://saikleyarchitects.com/portfolio/modern-ranch/

At 19 Irving Avenue, the backyard and pool come together as a seamless extension of Joseph Eichler’s vision—where architecture and landscape are not separate elements, but part of a single, cohesive experience. 5 Stepping outside, the space unfolds with a sense of quiet intention. The backyard is not overly ornamental or dense—it’s restrained, allowing the architecture to take the lead. Clean lines and open areas create a natural flow, guiding your eye toward the pool, which sits as a sculptural centerpiece within the composition. The pool itself, with its distinctive geometric form, mirrors the home’s angular language. It doesn’t compete with the architecture—it completes it. Reflections ripple across its surface, capturing the lines of the home and the movement of light throughout the day, creating a constantly shifting interplay between structure and nature. What makes this space truly special is how it connects back to the interior. Walls of glass dissolve the boundary entirely, so whether you’re inside looking out or outside looking in, the experience feels unified. The backyard becomes an outdoor living room—an extension of daily life rather than a separate destination. There’s a calmness to it all. A sense that nothing is overdone, yet everything is exactly where it should be. In this space, Eichler wasn’t just designing a backyard—he was refining an idea that would define his legacy: that modern living could be open, fluid, and deeply connected to the natural environment.

Example of a mid-sized transitional dark wood floor and brown floor double front door design in Austin with gray walls and a black front door

At 19 Irving Avenue, the rear exterior, pool, and patio come together as a masterclass in Joseph Eichler’s vision of total design—where structure, landscape, and daily life are seamlessly intertwined. 7 From the rear elevation, the home reveals its full architectural intent. Long horizontal lines stretch outward, softened by expansive walls of glass that dissolve the boundary between interior and exterior. The patio extends naturally from the home, not as an addition, but as a continuation—blurring where the house ends and the landscape begins. At the center of this composition, the pool anchors the space with its distinctive geometric form. It reflects the home’s angular language, creating a visual dialogue between water and structure that feels both deliberate and effortless. Light dances across its surface throughout the day, casting subtle reflections back onto the glass and surrounding planes. The patio itself is understated yet highly intentional. Open, breathable, and free of excess, it invites gathering without ever feeling crowded. It’s a space designed for movement—for stepping out from the living areas, for quiet mornings, for evenings that extend naturally outdoors. The flow is intuitive, guided by sightlines rather than walls. What makes this rear exterior so compelling is its sense of balance. Nothing competes; everything works together. In this space, Eichler distilled a philosophy that would define his legacy—that modern living isn’t confined to the interior, but expanded through a seamless connection to the outdoors.

At 19 Irving Avenue, the pool reads less like an afterthought and more like a quiet declaration of Joseph Eichler’s design philosophy. From the moment you step into the backyard, it becomes clear that this isn’t a traditional rectangular basin—it’s a geometric composition, shaped in a polygonal form that mirrors the home’s angular, forward-thinking architecture. 5 The lines of the pool echo the home’s V-shaped layout and parallelogram motifs, creating a visual rhythm that feels intentional from every vantage point. Rather than being set apart, the pool is pulled into the architecture itself—surrounded by walls of glass and adjacent living spaces that dissolve the boundary between inside and out. Reflections of sky, structure, and surrounding greenery constantly shift across its surface, making it feel alive within the composition. There’s a certain restraint to it, too. It doesn’t try to overpower the setting or compete with the architecture. Instead, it acts as a calm, sculptural centerpiece, anchoring the outdoor terrace while reinforcing the home’s modernist language. It’s easy to imagine Eichler himself using this space not just for leisure, but as part of a larger experiment—testing how geometry, light, and water could come together to shape a new way of living. In that sense, the pool isn’t just a feature—it’s part of the origin story. A subtle but powerful expression of the indoor-outdoor lifestyle that would go on to define Eichler communities across California.

At 19 Irving Avenue, the kitchen reveals itself as both a functional workspace and an early expression of Joseph Eichler’s belief that everyday living should feel open, connected, and intentional. Rather than being tucked away, the kitchen participates in the larger flow of the home—subtly integrated into the surrounding spaces while maintaining its own sense of purpose. 7 There’s a quiet efficiency to the layout. Clean lines, thoughtful storage, and built-in elements reflect a modernist approach where form follows function without excess. Cabinetry and surfaces feel purposeful, designed to support daily routines while maintaining the home’s overall architectural clarity. Nothing is overly ornate; instead, the beauty comes from proportion, material, and simplicity. Light plays a defining role here as well. Open sightlines and proximity to glass walls allow natural light to move through the space, softening its edges and connecting it visually to the outdoors. Even in a working area, Eichler resisted the idea of separation—ensuring the kitchen remained part of the home’s broader indoor-outdoor dialogue. What stands out most is how livable the space feels. It’s easy to imagine it in use—meals being prepared, conversations carrying into adjacent rooms, the boundaries between cooking, dining, and gathering gently dissolving. In this kitchen, Eichler wasn’t just designing for efficiency—he was shaping a new kind of domestic experience, one that felt open, modern, and deeply human.

Coral Pool and Spa
Hot tub - large contemporary backyard stamped concrete and custom-shaped natural hot tub idea in San Francisco

Midcentury modern kitchen backsplash by Motawi Tileworks featuring Outie Circle relief tiles
Kitchen - small mid-century modern kitchen idea in Detroit with beige cabinets, quartzite countertops, gray backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and white countertops

Our busy Silicon Valley clients asked us to convert their tight-quartered 1960’s ranch house to a gracious family home that would meet their long term needs. Ease of living was paramount, both in functionality and in ordered design. The project was completed on a moderate budget.While retaining most of the structure of the existing house to avoid costly structural changes, we opened walls to improve the sight lines and flow of the house and bring in more light. We made small additions at the front and back bedrooms to gain space for the family and relatives. An existing underused patio area was improved with a simple outdoor kitchen and overhang to extend the living space to the outside. Costs were kept down with choices of modest materials. Everything was made to be functional. Ample storage has been built into the right places. The details of the kitchen were carefully worked out to accommodate all the wishes of the various cooks in the family. The house is set up to be easy to keep clean. Acoustic walls separate living from bedroom spaces so adults can enjoy time together while children sleep. The outdoor kitchen has easy access to the indoor kitchen and the garage, and its setup promotes socializing while cooking outdoors. A large part of the narrow back yard was previously unusable space due to a steep slope up to a neighbor’s higher fence. With a new retaining wall and some re-grading we took back more of the yard for the patio and play space on a new lawn. The remodeled house is a mix of contemporary and traditional elements. Cool colors have a calming effect. Traditional items such as prairie style windows, trellis, mosaic tiles, and Shaker style cabinets, break down the scale in an otherwise streamlined, contemporary design. A new gabled roof with a broad arch at the front of the house marks the entry and resolves a challenging form where the central entry is set back from walls on both sides. Photography: Kurt Manley https://saikleyarchitects.com/portfolio/modern-ranch/

Our busy Silicon Valley clients asked us to convert their tight-quartered 1960’s ranch house to a gracious family home that would meet their long term needs. Ease of living was paramount, both in functionality and in ordered design. The project was completed on a moderate budget.While retaining most of the structure of the existing house to avoid costly structural changes, we opened walls to improve the sight lines and flow of the house and bring in more light. We made small additions at the front and back bedrooms to gain space for the family and relatives. An existing underused patio area was improved with a simple outdoor kitchen and overhang to extend the living space to the outside. Costs were kept down with choices of modest materials. Everything was made to be functional. Ample storage has been built into the right places. The details of the kitchen were carefully worked out to accommodate all the wishes of the various cooks in the family. The house is set up to be easy to keep clean. Acoustic walls separate living from bedroom spaces so adults can enjoy time together while children sleep. The outdoor kitchen has easy access to the indoor kitchen and the garage, and its setup promotes socializing while cooking outdoors. A large part of the narrow back yard was previously unusable space due to a steep slope up to a neighbor’s higher fence. With a new retaining wall and some re-grading we took back more of the yard for the patio and play space on a new lawn. The remodeled house is a mix of contemporary and traditional elements. Cool colors have a calming effect. Traditional items such as prairie style windows, trellis, mosaic tiles, and Shaker style cabinets, break down the scale in an otherwise streamlined, contemporary design. A new gabled roof with a broad arch at the front of the house marks the entry and resolves a challenging form where the central entry is set back from walls on both sides. Photography: Kurt Manley https://saikleyarchitects.com/portfolio/modern-ranch/

Custom Surface Solutions (www.css-tile.com) - Owner Craig Thompson (512) 430-1215. This project shows a master bathroom remodel. It includes a Porcelanosa large panel tile shower walls, pebble tile shower floor, penny tile wainscot and backsplash, 24 x 12 porcelain tile floor, and IKEA and custom cabinets.