Nestled in the hills of Orinda, California, this 1951 residence is one of only seven extant homes, now known as “The Magnificent Seven”, designed by architect Olof Dahlstrand, a protégé of Frank Lloyd Wright. With its low-slung rooflines, natural materials, and deep integration with the sloping landscape, the home is a pristine example of mid-century modern design inspired by Wright’s organic principles. Over the years, prior homeowners have emphasized preservation, ensuring that the house remained relatively untouched. Each owner has respected the original architecture and stayed true to Dahlstrand’s intent. When a family of five—two college-aged sons and a middle school-aged daughter—acquired the property, they were captivated by its history, legacy of care, and architectural significance. While they appreciated Dahlstrand’s original vision, they also recognized the need to adapt the home for contemporary living while preserving its design integrity. The remodel was conceived as a thoughtful response to the past—an effort to bring the house into the 21st century without compromising its soul. The primary mandate was to maintain architectural continuity while improving the functionality, comfort, and livability for a modern family. The design team—architects and contractor alike—worked with a shared reverence for the original architecture, allowing that mindset to guide even the most technical or pragmatic decisions. A key objective was to increase natural light in the kitchen—a departure from Wrightian principles of enclosed, intimate cooking spaces—while maintaining the home’s architectural language. The kitchen was reconfigured to foster a stronger connection to adjacent living spaces while retaining the underlying concept of spatial separation. One of the most transformative architectural changes was the removal of a ridge beam that was originally planned to remain visible through the kitchen. During construction, the team collaborated on a better solution: a wide-flanged steel beam concealed within the roof envelope. This subtle move preserved the clean lines and ceiling continuity, a modern update carried out with utmost respect for the existing framework. The home’s original powder room, previously accessible only through the kitchen, was relocated for better flow and privacy. A new powder room was carved out of former kitchen cabinetry—a narrow, interior space that could have felt dark and enclosed. To avoid this, the design extended the line of original transom windows into the new powder room and added a skylight above the vanity. The result is a bright and airy space that feels consistent with the rest of the home. Other updates included the installation of new solid-core interior doors with veneers carefully matched to the original mahogany, enhancing the continuity of the interiors. Even smaller decisions, such as placing the door knobs at 42 inches high, mirrored the original proportions. Every choice reflected a shared belief between the architect, contractor, and client: that new work should serve the integrity of the old. The home’s extensive interior redwood millwork and paneling was meticulously restored. Where new materials were introduced—such as the replacement redwood soffit paneling—the contractor took pains to find finish nails that matched the original, rather than using modern equivalents. This level of craftsmanship and collaboration defined the project. It extended even to the detailing of a blind door to the new powder room, which had to disappear into the existing redwood board-and-batten wall. It was a team effort: the owner found a suitable handle, the architects devised the custom in-swing mechanism, and the contractor executed it so the door aligned precisely with the battens. Throughout, the homeowners were deeply engaged in the design process. One, a meticulous design enthusiast, focused on aesthetic integrity and historic detail. The other brought a practical and function-driven perspective, ensuring that new fixtures and materials would be durable and require minimal maintenance. While the home’s location posed no major site challenges, sustainability was a key concern. The team upgraded the roof insulation, installed solar panels with battery storage, and added ductless mini-split cooling systems. Lighting was another area where modern technology was woven into a historic framework: new square LED fixtures echo the original custom perimeter soffit lights, maintaining the design language while offering advanced performance. A planned expansion of a bedroom into suite with a bathroom had to be shelved due to budget constraints and the high cost of below-grade foundation work. Still, the team focused their efforts on making the most of the existing footprint, resolving constraints through design ingenuity rather than adding square footage. This renovation represents a collaborative achievement in preserving and evolving a historically significant home. Every decision was shaped by a shared ethos among clients, architects, and contractor: to maintain the home’s architectural soul while updating it for contemporary life. The result is a timeless modernist residence that continues Olof Dahlstrand’s legacy, remaining grounded in nature, craftsmanship, and human-scale design. Klopf Architecture Team: John Klopf, AIA, Klara Kevane, Fernanda Bernardes
Interior Architectural Design: Klopf Architecture
Structural Engineer: Daniel Bastiao
Contractor: Don Larwood, Larwood Construction Photography: Mariko Reed Year Completed: 2022

Ann Lowengart Interiors took a dated Lafayette Tuscan-inspired villa and transformed it into a timeless Californian ranch. The 5,045 Sq. Ft gated estate sited on 2.8-acres boasts panoramic views of Mt. Diablo, Briones Regional Park, and surrounding hills. Ann Lowengart dressed the modern interiors in a cool color palette punctuated by moody blues and Hermès orange that are casually elegant for a family with tween children and several animals. Unique to the residence is an indigo-walled library complete with a hidden bar for the adults to imbibe in.

This project was a beautiful collaboration between J.Montgomery Landscape Architects and the Architect remodeling the house and cabana structure. The original 1928 Art Deco home underwent its own transformation, while we designed the landscape to perfectly match. The clients wanted a style reminiscent of a Country Club experience, with an expansive pool, outdoor kitchen with a shade structure, and a custom play area for the kids. Bluestone paving really shines in this setting, offsetting the classic Sonoma-style architecture and framing the contemporary gas fire pit with its blue accents. Landscape lighting enhances the site by night for evening gatherings or a late-night swim. In front, a bluestone entrance leads out to paver driveway and styled front gate. Plantings throughout are Water Efficiency Landscape certified, accenting the front hardscape and back terraces with beautiful low-water color.

In our Malvern project, we tackled flooring issues by installing new red oak hardwood floors in the kitchen to address water damage and refinishing the entire first floor, excluding the kitchen area. We also repainted the baseboards and shoe molding for a polished look. The kitchen underwent a significant transformation, with the removal of lower cabinets, relocation of the stove, and installation of new white shaker cabinets and handles. Existing countertops, sink, faucet, and stove were seamlessly reinstalled, and a new Bosch 800 series dishwasher was added. This comprehensive update ensured a refreshed and functional kitchen space for our client.

This landscape took on new life with a complete transformation into a French-country style retreat. On this smaller site, an existing pool was removed and the new one situated so as to maximize space. Sheer descent fountains add an elegant touch, and a hidden pool cover protects without detracting from the aesthetic. We created an upper terrace for dining, with staircases that flow out into the lower level, to a central fountain and a path that leads to a garden room with fire pit, terracotta accents, and dwarf olive trees. The sense of calm and enclosure is enhanced by tall hedges and custom screening arbors, and plantings of roses and lavender add to the Provençal charm.

When the pool jets are turned off, the water transforms into a glass-like surface, perfectly mirroring the sunset and surrounding landscape.
Example of a minimalist pool design in Dallas

Nestled into a steep hill on an urban-sized lot, N44° 58' 34" is a creative response to a set of unique site conditions. The house is terraced up the hill, providing multiple connections to the large urban lot. This allows the main living spaces to wrap around the greenspace, providing numerous visual and physical relationships to the backyard. With a direct connection to the largest public park in Minneapolis, the backyard transforms seasonally to support the families active, outdoor lifestyle. A grand, central staircase functions as a statement of modern design while windows simultaneously flood all three levels with light. The towering stair is framed by two distinct wings of the home, creating secluded, yet connected moments on each level.

Our clients were clear on what they sought for their backyard transformation; an outdoor space that provided multiple areas that would accommodate private get-togethers and intimate lounging while ensuring that the garden had enough vegetation and storage space for the owner's collection of bicycles. Making use of the long rear yard site lines was essential to improve social gatherings while still maintaining privacy and individual function, including BBQ and dining, lounging, spa, bike shed with green roof and gardens. In the front, we kept it simple and elegant with a parking pad and landscaping to hide the two air conditioners under the front window.

A tea pot, being a vessel, is defined by the space it contains, it is not the tea pot that is important, but the space. Crispin Sartwell Located on a lake outside of Milwaukee, the Vessel House is the culmination of an intense 5 year collaboration with our client and multiple local craftsmen focused on the creation of a modern analogue to the Usonian Home. As with most residential work, this home is a direct reflection of it’s owner, a highly educated art collector with a passion for music, fine furniture, and architecture. His interest in authenticity drove the material selections such as masonry, copper, and white oak, as well as the need for traditional methods of construction. The initial diagram of the house involved a collection of embedded walls that emerge from the site and create spaces between them, which are covered with a series of floating rooves. The windows provide natural light on three sides of the house as a band of clerestories, transforming to a floor to ceiling ribbon of glass on the lakeside. The Vessel House functions as a gallery for the owner’s art, motorcycles, Tiffany lamps, and vintage musical instruments – offering spaces to exhibit, store, and listen. These gallery nodes overlap with the typical house program of kitchen, dining, living, and bedroom, creating dynamic zones of transition and rooms that serve dual purposes allowing guests to relax in a museum setting. Through it’s materiality, connection to nature, and open planning, the Vessel House continues many of the Usonian principles Wright advocated for. Overview Oconomowoc, WI Completion Date August 2015 Services Architecture, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture

Whether you are scaling up or going for a major transformation, our experienced team will take you from idea to finished masterpiece in no time. From start to finish your project will be managed and delivered with our dedication to trust, honesty, and full price transparency.

The client was looking to transform her bedroom into a loft, and she found this great rustic brick pattern by York Wallcoverings. With a more weathered and old paint look, this pattern adds a lot of texture as well.

This homeowner lived on a very prominent golf course and wanted to feel like he was on the putting green of the 9th hole while standing at his family room window. The existing layout of the home had the garage enjoying that view with the outdated dining room, family room and kitchen further back on the lot. We completely demoed the garage and a section of the home, allowing us to design and build with that view in mind. The completed project has the family room at the back of the home with a gorgeous view of the golf course from two large curved bay windows. A new fireplace with custom cabinetry and shelf niches and coffered high ceilings makes this room a treasure. The new kitchen boasts of white painted cabinetry, an island with wood top and a 6 burner Wolf cooktop with a custom hood, white tile with multiple trim details and a pot filler faucet. A Butler’s Pantry was added for entertaining complete with beautiful white painted cabinetry with glass upper cabinets, marble countertops and a prep sink and faucet. We converted an unused dining room into a custom, high-end home office with beautiful site- built mahogany bookcases to showcase the homeowners book collections. To complete this renovation, we added a “friends” entry and a mudroom for improved access and functionality. The transformation is not only efficient but aesthetically pleasing to the eye and exceeded the homeowner’s expectations to enjoy their view of the 9th hole.

Completed a stunning full home remodel in a modern farmhouse style, inspired by our Client and Company designer. From design to build, we transformed the space into a beautifully functional home with high-end finishes and thoughtful details.

Eric Cantu Remodeling is constructing a 1,200 sq ft garage and custom workshop in the Preston Hollow neighborhood of Dallas, featuring 10-foot vaulted ceilings designed to accommodate heavy car lifts and a woodworking setup. This project includes a custom-reinforced monolithic foundation and high-performance closed-cell spray foam insulation, alongside an integrated 620 sq ft luxury covered patio. Less Project Specifications and Features The Preston Hollow garage addition is a highly specialized project designed for dual-purpose utility. Key technical details include: Structure: A 1,200 SQFT interior shop space with 10-foot plate heights and custom wood roof trusses. Foundation: A monolithic foundation with structural reinforcement and moisture barriers, specifically engineered for point-load requirements of automotive lifts. Insulation: The building envelope is sealed using closed-cell spray foam for high-performance climate control. Utilities: All utility loops were run directly through the studs during the framing phase to maintain a clean workspace. Outdoor Living: The addition features a 620 SQFT luxury patio that integrates seamlessly with the new structure. Construction Progress As of recently, the project has reached several major milestones: Site Prep: Completion of the foundation slab and moisture barriers. Framing: The structure is officially framed up with rough-ins complete. Interior Prep: Insulation is finished, and the project is ready for drywall. About Eric Cantu Remodeling Eric Cantu is a Dallas native specializing in classic North Dallas neighborhoods. Beyond the Preston Hollow workshop, the company offers: Luxury Garage Conversions: Transforming existing spaces into home gyms, guest suites, or ADUs. Attached Garage Additions: Custom builds tailored to the architectural style of North Dallas homes. Service Areas: Primarily serving Preston Hollow, University Park, and the wider DFW Metroplex. For inquiries or to view their Before and After gallery, you can reach the company at (972) 449-1951 or follow updates on their official subreddit.

Designer Show House & Gardens- Formerly an abandoned alley, karmic stone transforms the space with an artisan pathway between the main house and the carriage house. Ten hand carved specialty stone pavers were created in the studio and installed in a gravel path bordered by new landscaping and a water feature. Each stone design is site specific to compliment the adjacent water feature and gardens. photo by jmbpaul karmic stone

Whole-Home Interior Repaint — West Hartford & Farmington Valley Warm, light-filled rooms deserve paint that flatters them in every season. For this full interior refresh, our crew prepped and repainted the kitchen, dining room, bedrooms, hallways, foyer, stair balusters/railings, ceilings, and detailed millwork/wainscoting. The result is a calm, timeless palette with crisp trim lines and a durable, scrub-friendly finish—perfect for busy New England homes. Scope & Highlights Careful protection of floors, stone, and furnishings; dust-controlled sanding and surface repairs Precision cut-in on complex crown, panel moldings, and curved walls Smooth, furniture-grade trim and door finishes; uniform ceilings with flawless sheen Kitchen and adjacent living areas repainted for a cohesive, open-plan look Color story features soft neutrals and clean whites that amplify natural light Products We Love for Results Like This Benjamin Moore Aura & Regal Select for superior coverage, color richness, and washability Sheens selected by room use (matte/flat for ceilings & formal spaces; eggshell/satin for high-traffic areas) Optional upgrade: Advance for cabinet/trim enamel hardness Perfect For Whole-home repaints before move-in Refreshing dated color schemes without a full remodel Pairing new rugs, lighting, or wallpaper with a clean, modern paint envelope Adding a statement ceiling or upgraded millwork finish Service Area (CT) West Hartford, Avon, Farmington, Simsbury, Canton, Bloomfield, Glastonbury, South Windsor, Granby, and the greater Farmington Valley. Thinking about kitchen cabinets? We also refinish and paint cabinets with durable, enamel-hard finishes that resist fingerprints and daily wear—ask us to include a cabinet option with your estimate. Ready to transform your interiors? Message us here on Houzz or call (860) 243-9910 to schedule a fast, on-site consultation.

The owners of this 1980’s built-home wanted to create a completely new look for their outdated master bath and turned to Renovisions for design and build services. Having perused Renovisions website, they were confident they made the right choice to help them transform their ordinary space into something truly extraordinary. The design team created several configurations for the homeowners review until they nailed down one particular design that would create that wow factor. The main challenges were creating an open, spacious feel and maximizing natural light and ventilation with plenty of storage and customizations. The addition of a second window allows ample light into the space throughout the day along with the recessed and sconce lights which were perfectly placed. Storage, which was a key element of this design, includes two separate vanity cabinets (his and hers) with plenty of space for needed toiletries, a matching framed medicine cabinet for her and a custom built cubby for him. Built on site was a linen closet with both roll out and stationary shelves for towels and shower supplies. The spacious walk-in, all tiled shower boasts ‘no door’ access with lineal drain, traditional fixed and hand-held shower heads and a rounded shower seat. Polished black granite was used inside the cubby and topping both the threshold and seat creating a nice contrast to and tying in with the floor. The decorative grab bar ensures safety for these homeowners while showering. The heated floors added throughout the bath take the edge off when stepping out of the warm shower and are conveniently operated by a 24 hour programmable thermostat. Classic white subway tile and chair rail trims adorne all walls and tie in nicely to each vanity station. Carrera look quartz was the perfect choice for countertops creating a clean fresh look. Stunning marble basket-weave mosaic floor tile set the stage in this exquisite bath as the beautiful white painted cabinetry softened the overall feel of the space. These homeowners are not saving spa retreats for once-a-year vacations anymore, they now enjoy a relaxing spa-like shower experience every day in their own home!

A transformation of a modest raised ranch into a modern oasis. I was the interior designer and general contractor from mechanicals to finishing. It’s also my personal home. The interior design style is that of modern minimalist meets organic modern. I wanted a space that reduced distractions and let the eyes, head, and soul rest. Where everything inside the home has a specific use and purpose. The objects in our home are fewer but each hold a great personal value. You might expect to see this airy aesthetic, with its gallery white walls, in California or New York. Not nestled in a modest 50 year old neighborhood in Omaha, Nebraska. Creating a minimal aesthetic is one of the trickiest design styles to pull off. It is more than just less stuff and lots of white. It means sticking to these design principals: -weaving in an abundance of textures -incorporating natural finishes -keenly curating art -giving extra attention to scale -limiting purely decorative items -maximizing natural light This style is not to be confused with the frugality of reductive design. I have incorporated many elevated basics that create an aesthetic of quiet luxury: -architectural bead for trim-less doors -first-of-its kind interior door hardware made of terrazzo -historical marble found in landmark interiors like the NY Public Library -premium flush air vents that disappear out of site -luxury appliances from GE Café and Signature -elegant and resilient terrazzo field tiles Ours was not a simple interior remodel and addition: -gutted and remodeled the existing 2,000 SF -added on approximately another 1,000 SF -moved and installed all new major mechanicals i.e. heating, plumbing and electrical. -knocked through foundation walls to extend the space back -dug down and built up

This 1992 Dalgliesh Gilpin Paxton home is nestled on a mountainside with breathtaking views. In 2020, the new owners brought DGP on board to modernize and reimagine their primary living spaces. A family room addition and new fireplace provide an inviting gathering space adjacent to a freshly updated kitchen. Across the view side, new steel windows and doors with expansive glass openings frame the stunning vistas. In concert with the steel, an updated palette of stone flooring, modern mantels, textured wallcoverings, and new furnishings enliven the existing living room, dining room, and entry. In the landscape, new stone site walls visually ground the house on the hillside, while a pergola connector and additional garage frame a new parking courtyard. An existing log cabin on the property was also transformed with updated windows, exterior paint, new interior cabinetry, and furnishings.